A Newry teenager who was caught in possession of Ecstasy and cocaine has been fined £400.
The 18-year-old’s barrister told court that it was time for the defendant “to draw a line under his past adolescence nonsense”.
Ryan Devlin, 18, of Millbrook Villas, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a Class A drug at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Court heard that on June 7, at around 5pm, police spotted three males in a Fiat Bravo on Shannon Park and elected to stop the vehicle.
They informed the men that they were being detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
During this, officers located a quantity of white powder in the defendant’s wallet, as well as a number of Ecstasy tablets and cash.
When interviewed, Devlin, made full admissions and stated the white powder was cocaine and the tablets were Ecstasy.
He claimed the cash had been won earlier that day at the casino and said that the other two males had nothing to do with the drugs.
Defence barrister Michael Tierney stated: “This is a young man who had too much time on his hands when he left school at 16 and fell into bad habits including alcohol and illicit drugs.
“Since this offence, he has found employment and has completed 16 hours of a 20-hour community service diversion he was given in January.”
He continued: “He was 17-and-a-half when this offence occurred but was 18 by the time the summons was served, so a number of disposals are now closed to him.
“The future is bright for him and it is time for him to draw a line under his past adolescence nonsense.”
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay stated: “You are employed and quite valued, this pre-sentence report is very positive reporting that you show remorse.
“I am impressed by this response.”
Devlin was ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
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