Suspended jail term for man

Suspended jail term for man

14 December 2011

A DOWNPATRICK man has received a suspended prison sentence for possession of drugs.

Paul Fitzsimons (25) was found in possession of anabolic steroid tablets on January 25 last year, Downpatrick Court heard on Monday. He told police he bought them over the internet for weightlifting purposes.

A two-month jail term was suspended for a year.

The court also heard Fitzsimons, with addresses at Ardilea Park and Glebetown Driver, stole a bottle of vodka valued at £16.99 from Eurospar, Castlewellan, on May 2 last year.

He concealed the item and left the store, but returned days later to pay for it.

District Judge George Conner imposed a three-month jail term which he suspended for a year, and ordered compensation of £16.99 be paid.

On June 3 Fitzsimons became disorderly when police officers spoke with him at Newcastle’s Main Street, refusing to co-operate.

He struggled violently and attempted to head butt one officer, although no physical contact was made.

A four-month jail term was suspended for a year and £50 compensation ordered to be paid to the police officer.

A defence barrister said Fitzsimons suffered from “a rather sad upbringing” and had been drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs since he left primary school.

He said Fitzsimons is “prepared to change” and has given up drugs.

All the sentences are to run concurrently, leaving Fitzsimons with a total four months suspended sentence.