Gary Hutchinson (30) of Floraville, Enniskillen appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday charged with four counts of possessing a class B controlled drug, namely herbal Cannabis. The charges relate to two separate incidents. 

On February 14th at 1am, police were on patrol in Enniskillen when they saw the defendant in a car outside a shop and when they approached, he got out of the car and appeared nervous. 

Police conducted a search and a bag of cannabis was found in his underwear. 

After this, police searched two properties relating to Gary Hutchinson and found cannabis in a chest of drawers and also underneath the mattress. Cannabis was also found in a tin underneath the sofa. The cannabis was valued at around £590. 

The defendant was interviewed but made no comment. The court heard that the defendant first started taking cannabis when he was 14 years old, and the defendant admitted he was an addict. 

On a separate occasion on February 24th at around 11.30am, Hutchinson was walking on Belmore Street, Enniskillen towards Queen Elizabeth Road when police stopped with him. 

When police spoke to Hutchinson, he appeared nervous and was shaking. A search was carried out and cannabis was found inside his jacket pocket.

Defence barrister Gavin Cairns told the court that the defendant had previously spent five months in custody for other matters, and added that he has a significant history with cannabis.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that he agrees with the suggestion that Hutchinson would benefit from probation, and added that Hutchinson needed to get off drugs. He sentenced Hutchinson to a one year probation order urging him to comply with the order or he will find himself facing custody. 

Judge Ranaghan also fined him £300, and ordered for the destruction of the drugs.