Man fined for possession of a single tablet whilst in prison

Brendan Patrick Kelly, 24, and whose address was given as Agra Street in Belfast, appeared in Lisburn Magistrates Court this week charged with possession of a Class A drug, namely a single diazepam tablet.

The court heard that on Christmas Day at 9.14am at Maghaberry Prison, Kelly, who was then a prisoner, was searched and a small black plastic wrapper was found in his tracksuit pocket.

The wrapper contained white dust and the defendant admitted the dust came from a single diazepam tablet.

Defence said Kelly made an immediate admission to the police when searched and entered an early plea to the charge. He added that the defendant had been in prison for thirty months and that the amount of drugs found in his possession was “a very minimal amount.”

District Judge Amanda Brady imposed a fine of £100 and allowed the defendant ten weeks to pay.