A 26-year-old man was jailed for three months at Derry Magistrates’ Court for drug supply offences, while two other defendants received suspended sentences for animal cruelty and disorderly behaviour.

Ross Black, of Lincoln Court in the Waterside area of Derry, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs between May 2024 and March 2025. Police intercepted a parcel containing a sizeable quantity of drugs and traced it to an address where Black was present, though officers did not link him to that parcel. Examination of his phone uncovered drug-related messages, leading to the charges. District Judge Ted Magill told Black that a custodial sentence was unavoidable despite his guilty plea.

In a separate case, Oran Mitchell, 26, from Rock Mills, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his pit bull terrier-type dog and disorderly behaviour towards police. The court heard that CCTV from 10 October 2025 captured him kicking and dragging the animal across a car park and inside his accommodation. A staff member monitoring the footage alerted police, and Mitchell became aggressive towards officers and the staff member. When shown the recording, he confirmed his identity and described his actions as unacceptable. His solicitor stated the dog did not require veterinary treatment.

Judge Magill said anyone responsible for an animal must ensure its welfare and that no animal should be treated in such a manner. He said Mitchell’s conduct represented a failure of basic human decency. Taking account of Mitchell’s mental and physical health and the absence of injury to the dog, the judge imposed three months for animal cruelty and one month for disorderly behaviour, both suspended for two years. He warned Mitchell that any further conviction would almost certainly mean jail.

Stephen Johnston, 29, of Tullykeeran Gardens, Maghera, admitted disorderly behaviour and resisting police on 10 March 2026. Officers attended an address following reports of a fight. As they left, Johnston followed them and became abusive. Despite a warning, he continued shouting and swearing, then ran inside and shut the door when police tried to arrest him. He was later detained. The court heard Johnston had 60 previous convictions. Judge Magill described the pre-sentence report as very poor and, with considerable hesitation, imposed a three-month sentence, suspended for two years.