Magherafelt man claimed cannabis was ‘legal high’, court told

Before the court was 23-year-old Leigh Gibson, from Moneymore Road, who faced a charge of possessing the drug on New Year’s Day.

District Judge Alan White adjourned the case until January 21 next year, and warned Gibson to stay out of trouble.

Prosecuting counsel said police on patrol in the town centre approached Gibson after being told by a member of the public that he had a bag containing what appeared to be cannabis.

She said Gibson put the bag down the back of his trousers and refused to hand it over to police until he was taken to Limavady police station.

The lawyer said defendant said the bag contained a legal high but a subsequent test showed it was 1.64 grams of cannabis.

Admitting the offence, defence solicitor Stephen Atherton said the defendant had a history of drug addiction problems.

However, Mr Atherton said Gibson now had direction in his life and had obtained full time employment.

He added that defendant was taking the matter seriously and had been very worried about coming to court.