Sunderland pensioner told he 'should know better' as he is caught again with drugs

Ronald Moran, 72, was in possession of cannabis and amphetamine when stopped at the wheel of a car in the city’s Durham Road on September 7.

Moran, of Portsmouth Road, Pennywell, has convictions for being found with the same drugs together on the same day in 2000 and 2002, a court heard.

He initially denied two counts of drug possession at his first court appearance, claiming he did not know the substances were there, and the case was set down for trial.

But he changed his plea to guilty with his solicitor admitting they were crimes he should by now know better than to commit.

Prosecutor Clare Irving told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant was driving and was the sole occupant of a VW Passat that was stopped by officers.

“Recovered from under the seat was the amphetamine and herbal cannabis was located in the central console.

“In interview the defendant made no comment but he comes before the court to plead guilty, having originally pleaded not guilty.

“He did say that he was unaware the drugs were in the car. I apply for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and £620 court costs.”

Peter Thubron, defending, told District Judge Zoe Passfield: “There’s little for me to add except that these are his latest convictions for the same two drugs.

“One was in 2002, that’s 24 years ago, and before that it was some two years earlier. He’s 72 and should know better.

“I can’t ask for credit for an early guilty plea. He’s avoided a trial, so I do ask for some credit for that.

“He has shortened the hearing by pleading guilty. I don’t think that he will be doing this offence again.”

Judge Passfield fined Moran £100 for each offence, with £620 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge, and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

She told him: “I do give you some credit for pleading guilty on the day of trial.”