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Judge imposes suspended jail term and tells teen it’s a case of the stick a week after the carrot!

Defendant pleaded guilty to theft and common assault

Craigavon Courthouse

A Craigavon teenager who was last week sentenced to probation for possession of cannabis has now been given a suspended prison sentence.

District Judge Bernie Kelly told the 18-year-old: “I have given you the carrot and now you will have the stick.”

William Geary, of Parkmore, pleaded guilty to theft and common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

These offences had occurred when the defendant was just 17.

Last week, Geary was sentenced to 12 months probation for two counts of possession of a Class B drug and possession of fireworks without a licence.

This had been put in place by District Judge Kelly to “assist” the defendant in dealing with his addictions.

On Friday she stated: “I know why I adjourned this matter. I have given you the carrot and now you will have the stick.”

Geary was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for 18 months and was told that if he offended again this four months could be imposed on top of any other sentence.

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