A 42-YEAR-OLD man who planned to turn a haul of cannabis into a painkiller for a friend's cancer-suffering wife has received a suspended jail sentence.

Damien Kingham, from Hillside View, Killargne, county Leitrim, was given the 18-month term, suspended for two years, for attempting to export, and possessing the herbal cannabis with intent to supply on September 2, 2013.

Defence counsel Gavyn Cairns told Omagh Crown Court that while Kingham was to supply a few friends, he hoped to compress the bulk of the herb, to extract the cannabis oil.

This was to be used as a form of pain relief by a friend's wife who was  suffering from lung cancer.

Judge Paul Ramsey QC said while it was an appropriate case for custody, due to the particular circumstances he was prepared to suspend his sentence.

He added there were no aggravating factors and that the court was given a sheath of references setting out the exemplary character of Kingham, who had shown remorse for his crimes, which he admitted from the outset.

Prosecution counsel Simon Reid said police were checking cars on the Moorlough Road in Lisnaskea and stopped a vehicle in which Kingham was a passenger.

Officers carried out a search of the car upon smelling cannabis and in the boot uncovered 244 grams in a large bag.

Mr Reid said Kingham told officers the drugs had "nothing to do with the driver", and that they were his.

A subsequent report on his mobile phone would indicate, he added, that Kingham was involved in the supply of the drug.

In defence Mr Cairns said that up until now Kingham had a clear record in both jurisdictions and was of exemplary character.

He added that while Kingham was allowed to return to his native Leitrim, he had returned north on numerous occasions to deal with the case.

This, he added, showed an exceptional level of co-operation, whereas a more nefarious or wily individual would have refused.