Paddy Leonard, 27 Jan
When police stopped a car for a traffic matter they noticed the driver
was 'visibly shaking and nervous' and they subsequently found drugs in
the vehicle Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.
The man who appeared charged with possessing drugs with intent to
supply on on May 20 had been granted anonymity due to the general
threat in the city.
The court heard that police stopped a car on Old School Lane and spoke
to the driver who displayed signs of nervousness.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 1000 Diazepam tablets in
the car.
The driver told police that the drugs were his and had nothing to do
with a female in the car with him.
His phone was seized and he made full admissions claiming he was
'heavily addicted and self medicating'.
Fifteen messages were found on his phone to two people concerning the
sale of cannabis.
Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said his client had been stopped 'by
chance'.
He said that the there was no real intent to supply as the man 'was
only poisoning himself.'
The man was sentenced to two months in prison suspended for 18 months.