A 21-year-old man from Newtownabbey has been sentenced to a two-year probation order following his appearance at Lisburn Magistrates Court on drug and driving-related charges. Je-Maine Evans, of Elderburn, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of Class A drugs, specifically cocaine and MDMA, one count of possession of a Class B drug, cannabis, and failing to provide a specimen.
The charges stem from an incident on June 1, 2026, when police were alerted by staff at a Eurospar in Lisburn regarding a customer suspected of driving under the influence. Officers intercepted the defendant’s vehicle at the Sprucefield roundabout. Following a search, police recovered a bag containing a brown substance and several bags of white powder.
Upon being taken to Musgrave Custody Suite, Evans refused to provide a blood sample for drug testing. During his police interview, the defendant admitted to using drugs to manage anxiety and depression, maintaining that the substances were for personal use rather than distribution.
The defence solicitor informed the court that the defendant’s recent offending was linked to the end of a relationship. The court heard that Evans has struggled with drug misuse since the age of 14, but expressed remorse for his actions and a desire to move forward. His legal representative noted that the defendant has a limited criminal record.
District Judge Rosie Watters imposed the two-year probation order, stating that the measure was intended to help the defendant avoid further legal trouble. In addition to the probation, Judge Watters disqualified Evans from driving for 16 months and ordered the destruction of the seized drugs.
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