Courts must hand out deterrent sentences in drugs cases - Derry judge claims
Philip Duddy (31) of Creevagh Heights pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis on August 21, 2023 and offering to supply the drugs on July 11, 2023
A judge at Derry Crown Court has said that the 'difficulties' with drugs in the city mean that the courts must hand out deterrent sentences.
The comments came in the case against Philip Duddy (31) of Creevagh Heights in Derry who admitted a series of drug charges.
Duddy pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis on August 21, 2023 and offering to supply the drugs on July 11, 2023.
He also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing the drugs on August 22, 2023 as well as two other charges of offering to supply drugs.
A defence barrister Stephen Mooney asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Judge Neil Rafferty said that cases like this normally attract a custodial sentence and warned the defendant to co-operate with the probation service.
Duddy will be sentenced on October 22.
An anonymity order that had been imposed in a lower court was lifted.