Trio escape jail after admitting possessing drug

Trio escape jail after admitting possessing drug

28 February 2018

THREE Comber men, who were caught in possession of cannabis, have been spared custody despite a judge warning that it should not be considered a “soft drug”. 

Stephen Ireland (39), of Copeland Walk, and his 19 year-old son Joe Samuel Ireland, of Rose Garden, were given suspended jail terms after admitting cultivation and possession of cannabis.

A co-defendant Jack Savage (19), of Copeland Crescent, was sentenced to three years on probation and 50 hours of community service for possession of the drug with intent to supply.

The sentences were imposed at Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday following a robust warning by Judge Brian Sherrard of the “great social evil” of cannabis. 

Accepting there might be “mixed messages” about the seriousness of the Class B drug, Judge Sherrard said there should be no doubt the public deserved to be protected from its cultivation and sale.

The court heard that the drugs were discovered during a police search of Stephen Ireland’s house at Copeland Walk on December 8, 2016.

Cannabis plants were found in the attic and in a wardrobe, along with “paraphernalia” associated with its cultivation including digital scales, a grinder and £150 of cash.

A defence barrister had told the court it has been Stephen Ireland’s idea, as a social cannabis user, to grow their own plants because “he was tired of low quality cannabis and getting ripped off.”

“He felt to grow his own for his own personal use would be a better approach,” the barrister explained.

“This has been a chastening experience for him. We know this is a gateway drug and can lead to other criminality.”

Judge Sherrard noted that the pre-sentence reports indicated that the three defendants took a “casual view” of the use of cannabis. He said it was important that his sentencing reflected society’s rejection of its cultivation.

Despite cannabis sometimes being described as a “soft drug”, he emphasised that its supply would not “attract a soft sentence” as that would not be in the public interest.

Judge Sherrard said Savage was only spared immediate custody because of his “extreme youth” at the time of the offence.

“You are a very young man but you have started down a negative and dangerous path that will lead either to your death or imprisonment for lengthy periods,” he said. “This court has a responsibility to the public to protect public safety.”

Judge Sherrard said it was also “with some hesitation” that he would suspend Stephen Ireland’s six-month prison sentence for two years, while Joe Ireland was sentenced to four months, suspended for 18 months.

“These sentences should leave you in no doubt about the attitude Parliament and our society take about the production and sale of illegal drugs,” he said.

“Undoubtedly there have been mixed messages regarding cannabis, particularly when one reads how it is perceived in other jurisdictions. Without any doubt let me clarify how cannabis is perceived.

“The courts in Northern Ireland have confirmed there is no such thing as a soft drug.”