Omagh man claims he was using cannabis to deal with back pain

AN Omagh man who was twice detected in possession of cannabis was fined £400 when he admitted the offences at the town’s Magistrates Court.

On the night of October 15 last year Dalton Mallon (27) of Strule Park was a passenger of a car in Centenary Park in Omagh when police officers who spoke to him, noticed a smell of cannabis. They subsequently found a bag containing a small quantity of the Class B drug. Mallon admitted at the scene that it belonged to him.

On June 28 this year, police searched his home and found 20 grams of cannabis. During police interview, he again admitted possession of the drug.

Defence solicitor Sean Paul Begley told the court, his client “fully accepted” the items were his. He added that Mallon became an habitual user to deal with a pain in his back as a result of a road traffic collision. Mr Begley stated, “He accepts he needs to find alternative methods for pain management. He went to his GP but did not find the medication very helpful”.

Imposing the fine, District Jude Peter Prenter gave the defendant credit for admitting the offences, adding that he perhaps had little option.

Addressing Mallon, the District Judge said, “It is worrying it is two detections; one in October and one in June. It took the second time before you sought help for pain management. I’ll say no more about that.

“Rest assured if you are before the court again for possession of cannabis, you won’t be dealt with in the same way again. This is your chance”.