Enniskillen Magistrates Court
A 30-year-old man has been banned from driving for six months after being found with cannabis in a car after going to the shop for milk and bread.
Carl Foster of Crichton Park in Tamlaght appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday. He was charged with drug possession, unlawfully taking a car, driving unaccompanied and without insurance or L-plates.
The court heard that police were on mobile patrol at 9.45pm on 26th May at Dead Mans Lane, Trory, Enniskillen when they came upon two males in a silver VW Golf. On speaking to the pair, the police officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and conducted a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act. On Foster, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, they found a small quantity of cannabis.
When asked to produce his driving licence and insurance at the scene, Foster admitted that he was not insured and only held a provisional licence. Later in a police interview he told officers: “I’m sorry I’ve no licence or insurance. I was under a lot of pressure.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick issued a destruction order for the drug which the court heard was a small amount for Foster’s own personal use.”
Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy said his client had been dealing with “strenuous personal circumstances on the night in question”.
“Things had taken their toll on my client. He had a falling out with his disabled partner and needed to get put of the house. He took her car to get milk and bread which were found by police in his car,” Mr Roddy added.
Judge Broderick issued a warning to Foster that he was facing his second conviction for having no insurance. He imposed fines totalling £250, a six month driving ban and a conditional discharge for 12 months.
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