Man arrested for possession of a knife and drugs handed suspended sentence
Ciaran Burke (31) of Lisfannon Park in Derry admitted a series of offences
Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how after they arrested a man for possessing a knife they found two bags of cocaine on him and another in the police vehicle that had taken him to custody.
Ciaran Burke (31) of Lisfannon Park in Derry admitted a series of offences.
The court heard that on December 13, 2021 police were in attendance at the train station in Derry and noticed a female alighting from a taxi.
The woman attracted attention by dropping items of her luggage and then making off when she saw police.
The defendant was also in the vehicle and when police approached he handed them 12 diazepam tablets.
The court heard then that on February 26 this year police received a report that Burke had left the house with a knife.
Police found him in Abbey Street and when asked he produced a 'large kitchen knife'.
The cocaine was also found on him and in the police vehicle.
Finally, the court heard that on March 10 the defendant's mother called police to remove him from the house.
While police were there Burke refused to comply and attempted to grab the handcuffs.
A small amount of cannabis was also found.
Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client had long been addicted to drugs.
He said he had been the victim of a shooting in 2019 and had suffered from the consequences of this.
Burke was given six months suspended for three years.