Jailed for disorderly behaviour and cannabis possession

Arthur Donaldson, whose address was given to the court as Parkmore, Craigavon, was sentenced to one month in custody for possession of cannabis on February 18 this year and a concurrent three month term was imposed for disorderly behaviour.

He was sentenced to three months in prison for cultivating cannabis on September 10 last year.

This sentence is to run consecutively to the first terms making a total of six months in prison.

He was also ordered to pay a £25 offender’s levy.

The court heard that on February 18 police carried out a search of the defendant’s home.

Donaldson allowed them access but then began shouting and swearing at police before producing a joint from his pocket.

On September 10 during a search a police found a cannabis plant valued at £500 in a front bedroom.

The case had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report but the court was told that Donaldson did not attend for the appointment.

He claimed that he had not received a letter from probation.

A barrister representing the defendant said he had a considerable record for public order offences and the comments he made to the police did not cover him in glory.

He had a joint rolled and ready to smoke.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said Donaldson had been warned by his colleague at a previous court that if he did not co-operate with probation he would face custody.

He added that it was hard to accept that the defendant did not receive a letter from probation.