Two men pleaded guilty to possession of class B drugs when they appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

20 year-old Matthew McQuillan of Magherafelt Road, Castledawson appeared alongside his co-accused, Gareth Dobbin (21) of Rainey Court, Magherafelt.

The offences were committed on January 9 last.

The court heard that following a search of a house on the Castledawson Road, Magherafelt on the date in question, police recovered a small plastic bag, thought to contain cannabis, from the front pocket of Dobbin’s trousers.

He was arrested and during interview, Dobbin made full admissions to possession of the herbal cannabis, worth £20.

Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton said: “This is a very intelligent young man. He has ten GSCEs and three A-Levels.  He had been working in a local bar but was paid off last year.  He hopes to commence a music course at university in September. This is his first time in court and he made full admissions from the start.

“Over the past year he seems to have been drifting along but this court experience has been a solidary lesson. I should think that this will be his first and last time in court,” added Mr Atherton.

District Judge Bernie Kelly fined Dobbin £315.

District Judge Bernie Kelly ordered a presentence report on Dobbin’s co-accused, McQuillian.

He will appear back before the court on March 25 for sentencing.

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