Man given community service

He was 21-year-old Robert Haughian, Rampart Street, Lurgan, and he admitted possession of mephedrone on August 18 last year and possession of cannabis on November 18.

The court heard that on August 18 at Shankill Street in Lurgan a bag of white powder was found in the pocket of his jeans.

On November 18 at Prospect Way police drove past him and saw him put his hand in his pocket before running away.

He was detained a short distance away and police noticed he had discarded an object under a caravan.

Haughian admitted it was cannabis which he had bought for £20 and it was for his own personal use.

The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

District Judge Rosemary Watters said the report indicated the defendant was at a medium risk of re-offending and very close to a high risk.

She added that these were Haughian’s eighth and ninth convictions for possession of drugs.

Judge Watters told Haughian that he should really go into custody but would take into account that he had pleaded guilty at an early stage.