Jail warning for drugs man

Jonathan Gartland from Scarva Walk appeared at the towns Magistrates Court last Thursday charged with possession of a Class b drug.

He was sentenced to three months in prison which was suspended for two years.

The court heard the Gartland has 34 previous convictions, five of them for drugs offences.

A PPS prosecutor told the court how on 4 April police attended Gartland’s home and found a small quantity of Cannabis on the work top.

Barrister Justin Byrne said his client has a problem with drugs and is receiving treatment with the addictions team.

Judge Copeland said drugs were becoming an increasingly significant problem and Gartland’s “repeated possession adds to that problem.”

He told Gartland that if he appeared again, he would go to jail.