A 30-YEAR-OLD man caught smoking cannabis in his partner’s car at Dead Man’s Lane had taken her vehicle without permission after an argument, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Carl Foster, of Crichton Park, Tamlaght, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, taking a motor vehicle without authority, being an unaccompanied ‘L’ driver, not displaying ‘L’ plates and using a motor vehicle without insurance at Dead Man’s Lane, Trory on May 26, 2017.

The court heard that, at 9.45pm, police detected a “strong smell” of cannabis coming from a silver Volkswagen parked at Dead Man’s Lane with two male occupants.

They informed the two men that a search would be conducted under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A small quantity of cannabis was seized from the driver, who identified himself as the defendant.

He further admitted that he only had a provisional driving licence and was not insured.

Foster was then arrested and conveyed to Enniskillen police station.

After he was cautioned with the offences, he replied: “I’m sorry. I’ve no licence or insurance. I was under a lot of pressure.”

During interview, he made a full admission to the offences.

The quantity of cannabis seized was a small amount for his own personal use, the court heard.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that, at the time of the incident, his client had been experiencing “strenuous” personal difficulties and things had “taken their toll”.

The barrister said that, prior to the incident, Foster had fallen out with his partner and, in his “distressed” state, needed to get out of the house.

Mr. Roddy said that the defendant had taken his partner’s car without permission with the intention of getting milk and bread from the shop.

The barrister revealed that, when he was stopped by police, these items had been in the car.

In mitigation, Mr. Roddy said that the defendant had previously been in employment, but had given that up to look after his mother and his partner.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that this was the defendant’s second conviction for driving without insurance.

The judge imposed fines totalling £250, a £15 offender levy and disqualified Foster from driving for six months.

As it was his partner’s car he had taken without permission, for this offence he received a 12-month conditional discharge.