A Portadown man who offered to supply cannabis to a friend in a “social capacity” has been handed a suspended sentence.
The 20-year-old’s barrister told court: “This started off as a much more serious case. It was a small amount of cannabis and most of the supply offence comes from his own admission.”
Ross Chambers, of Bridge Street, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B and supplying Class B at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Wednesday via videolink from his solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on April 9, of last year, police conducted a search of the defendant’s home during which a small amount of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin, to the value of £15, were found.
A mobile phone and £80 in cash were also seized from the property as a result of the search.
During interview, Chambers made admissions to possession of the cannabis and stated that it was for personal use.
The money which was seized was later found to be earnings from the defendant’s employment.
A text message on the mobile showed that Chambers had offered to supply a quantity of cannabis resin to another person on April 1.
When put to him, the defendant stated that he had been offering the substance to a friend in a “social capacity”.
Defence barrister Joel Lindsay said: “This started off as a much more serious case. It was a small amount of cannabis and most of the supply offence comes from his own admission.
“He was employed as a chef but lost this due to Covid. He has one previous for an unrelated matter. For that he got a combination order which has since been completed.”
District Judge Amanda Brady sentenced the defendant to three months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay a fine of £75, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 15 weeks.
