A man who refused to let police officers search him for drugs has been given a suspended sentence.

He was arrested on October 30 last after he approached police in the area and started shouting and swearing at them.

Noticing that he, Connor Anthony Logan (30), of Drumbeg, Enniskillen, was unsteady on his feet and his pupils were dilated, officers told Logan they were going to search him under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but he continued to shout, and pulled away from the officer who was trying to search him.

After three warnings, he was arrested, and he also refused to comply and get in to the police car.

“Deceleration”

Michael Wilson, Logan’s barrister, told Enniskillen Magistrates Court that his client was no stranger to the court, but said there had been a “deceleration” in his offending.

Mr. Wilson said Logan’s offending was down to him getting drunk with his ex-partner and starting arguing, and police are called and he becomes un-cooperative, and this is when charges arise.

Although the defendant had a significant record for public order offences, there was no sign of violence to police, he added.

Mr. Wilson said Logan had suffered from anxiety and depression, and had abused drugs since he was 15 years old.

The barrister added Logan was “under no illusions he is running out of road with the criminal justice system” which will lead to a period in custody.

Logan, the court heard, has engaged with Probation and completed a number of courses, and Mr. Wilson argued this good history with Probation would allow Logan the opportunity to repay the community with a suspended sentence hanging over his head.

District Judge Steven Keown said that there had to be a point when the learnings of Probation are put into practice, and that the current Probation order Logan had should be more than enough time for him.

He warned Logan, who was convicted of disorderly behaviour and obstructing police in the search for drugs, that if he was back before the court, he would be going to jail.

Logan received a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.