Former boxer ‘within a hair’s breadth of jail’

Paul Hanna aged 35 from Halls Mill Green, Laurencetown was convicted last Thursday for his fifth drugs offence.

However District Judge Mr Paul Copeland said he believed there was a “glimmer of hope” Hanna would turn a page in his life.

Hanna was sentenced to three months in prison which was suspended for two years and fined £300.

He was warned that if he fails to pay the fine within 10 weeks he will serve 14 days in jail.

A PPS Prosecutor told the court how on 6 March Hanna was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and two bags of herbal cannabis found.

A solicitor said Hanna was one a half years into a two year suspended sentence when the search took place.

He said the value of the drugs was between £15 and £20. He told the court that Hanna served a substantial period in custody in 2012.

The solicitor said his client was “quite a skilled boxer until drugs took over.”

He stressed that all offences took place within the vicinity of his own home.

“He has a friend living with him and she is anti-drugs and she is providing some consistency in his life.”

The solicitor said Hanna leads a very isolated life and rarely leaves his home.

District Judge Mr Copeland stressed that the impact of cannabis on mental health suggested Hanna could be “the author of his own misfortune.”

After hearing from Hanna’s female friend, Mr Copeland said, “I am going to give him a chance. I hope he doesn’t throw it back in your face, his solicitor’s face and the court’s face.”

Hanna was also told to pay an offender’s levy of £15.