Defendant told: “Be very well aware you will go to prison again for drug offences"

A Lurgan man has been warned he will go to prison if he comes back before the court for drug related offences.

The case of Padraig O’Neill, (18), Brookvale Park, was heard at Craigavon Courthouse sitting on Wednesday, March 9.

The court heard that on April 29 last year, whilst on mobile patrol in the Lurgan area, police observed a vehicle travelling on Gilford Road.

After speaking to the driver and the passenger, who was the defendant, officers conducted a search of the vehicle and eight 300mg pregablin capsules were concealed in O’Neill’s right sock.

The defendant immediately made a phone call and was heard stating: “Hello, we got stopped and I got caught with seven buds.”

It was later confirmed that O’Neill was not prescribed pregablin of any strength.

Ciara Ennis BL, defending, stated that her client was 17-years-old at the time of the offence and added that he had a previous custodial sentence in a Young Offender’s Centre for other matters.

She further added that O’Neill is under the auspice of a Youth Conference Order in relation to other offences.

District Judge Greg McCourt said: “Ms Ennis, I think a suspended sentence will keep him on the straight and narrow if he wants to accept that without a pre-sentence report?”

This was agreed by the barrister.

The Judge further added: “You have been in court quite a lot for drugs. You’ve had eight previous convictions and this is your ninth.

“Be very well aware you will go to prison again for drug offences.”

O’Neill was imposed with a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.