A County Fermanagh man who was caught with cannabis and criminal property amounting to more than £10,000 cash in a car in Belfast was sentenced today (Friday.)

Imposing a suspended sentence upon Nathan Johnston (27), from Drumbawn Close in Enniskillen, Judge Patricia Smyth told him this was his "last chance" of avoiding jail.

Belfast Crown Court heard that on May 21, 2022, Johnston was a passenger in a car stopped by the PSNI at the Grosvenor Road area of the city.

After the car was stopped, officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis and the vehicle was searched.

Johnston handed over a small amount of the Class-B drug, along with £10,140.

When questioned about the cash, Johnston told police the money was to buy a child's swing.

However, this account was branded as "completely implausible and false" by Judge Smyth, who said: "We all know what that money was for".

Following his arrest, Johnston gave a largely 'no comment' response when asked about the cannabis and cash, but he subsequently pleaded guilty to possessing both the drugs and criminal property.

Noting Johnston had previous convictions for drug offences, Judge Smyth described him as a man with "a long history of drug addiction".

Johnston is already the subject of a suspended sentence which was imposed for a prior offence and which was due to expire in February, 2026.

Telling Johnston she was giving him one "last chance", Judge Smyth said that as an alternative to custody, she was extending the period of the suspended sentence for 12 months.

Before leaving the dock, Johnston was also told that the period of suspension will now expire in February, 2027.

Warning Johnston of the consequences of re-offending during that period, the Belfast Recorder told him: "Make no bones about it, if you commit another offence - any offence but particularly a drugs offence - you are going to prison."