Man charged with possession of drugs given a suspended sentence

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court charged with possession of drugs.

Mark Frew (33) of Spencer Road in Derry was charged with, on December 13, possessing cocaine, cannabis and pregabalin after police were called about two men acting suspiciously in the area of Duke's Bar in Derry.

Frew was already on bail for failure to return to Maghaberry after being released to attend a meeting with the Housing Executive on October 26. He was found the following day in Duke's Bar where he was re-arrested.

Frew pleaded guilty to the drug charges and the court heard that he had 'no memory' of the incident on the 13th.

Defence solicitor Kelly Doherty said that Frew had recently secured tenancy in Spencer Road and that he had a chronic drug addiction.

He was sentenced to two months in custody, suspended two years.