6 MONTH CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE FOR MAN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF KETAMINE

A down-on-his-luck Island man who tried to evade Police by jumping a wall into a cemetery has been handed a 6-month conditional discharge. Martin D’Arcy, care of Arctic Road in Cowes, admitted possession of a controlled drug of class-B when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court last week (Friday 26th April). Prosecuting, Lauren Stone, told the court that officers on anti-social behaviour patrol were travelling along Newport Quay when they noticed 2 figures standing around a moped in the corner of a car park. Suspecting that a drug deal may have been taking place, officers approached the duo but one of the individuals got back on the moped and quickly made off, leaving just 1 man – D’Arcy – at the scene. The 55-year-old attempted to evade the officers by jumping over the fence into Newport Cemetery but he was quickly apprehended and then searched, where class-B drugs were found in his possession. D’Arcy has a total of 8 previous convictions for a total of 18 offences. Defending, Michael McGoldrick, told the court that D’Arcy was currently suffering from a downturn in his luck and that he was currently sleeping rough in a tent. D’Arcy told the court that he had just purchased a boat. The court heard how the 54-year-old is currently on 2 separate community orders and a suspended sentence order. Magistrates handed D’Arcy a 6-month conditional discharge and a £26 surcharge fee.