Driver fined for drug possession after police detect cannabis smell from vehicle
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Twenty-year-old Patrick Duffy from Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, admitted a charge of possessing the drug on December 27 last.
Prosecuting counsel said at 10.25pm police on mobile patrol in the Coalisland area stopped a vehicle and spoke to the driver.
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Hide AdShe said officers detected a strong smell of cannabis and carried out a search of the vehicle.
The prosecutor said approximately 3.5 grams of cannabis was found in the central console of the vehicle, and the defendant made a full admission in a notebook interview.
A defence lawyer pointed out that Duffy has three relevant convictions. He explained that the defendant has been subjected to Probation and had a reference letter from his Probation officer.
Pleading for leniency, the lawyer said it was a very small amount of cannabis, and asked the court to give the Duffy maximum credit for entering an early plea.
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Hide AdDistrict Judge Michael Ranaghan said given the defendant’s previous record, he would deal with the matter by an enhanced fine. He imposed a fine of £250 and ordered Duffy to pay a £15 offender levy.
Mr Ranaghan said that he would give the defendant 14 weeks to pay the fines. He also made an order for the destruction for the cannabis.