Fined for cannabis possession

Mark James Devlin from Newry Road, Banbridge was also ordered to pay an offender’s levy of £15.

Last Thursday’s Court heard how he was stopped and searched on June 30 last after police thought he was acting suspiciously.

A sealable bag containing suspected herbal cannabis was found in his trouser pocket, and forensic tests confirmed it was a Class B substance with a street value of £5.

He admitted the charge and told police that at the time he was addicted to it.

A solicitor told the court how Devlin had made efforts to kick the habit and had spent a week after the incident going cold turkey.

He said his client was currently unemployed but this was “not for the want of trying” to secure work.

Devlin was granted 16 weeks to pay the fine.