Love/Hate actor gets another chance on cannabis charge

Leroy Harris has already pleaded guilty to having cannabis worth €100 for sale or supply

A young actor who featured in the controversial cat-killing scene in the hit crime TV series Love/Hate has been given another chance to co-operate with the Probation Service before he is sentenced for dealing cannabis.

Leroy Harris (19) had pleaded guilty earlier to unlawful possession of cannabis worth €100, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply, at Sheriff Street, in north inner city Dublin, on October 14th last.

The young actor, who has no prior criminal convictions, had been caught with two packets of cannabis, Dublin District Court had heard last month before it had adjourned sentencing until today for a probation report to be prepared.

Love/Hate actor Leroy Harris arrives at Dublin District Court at an earlier date before  pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a quantity of cannabis, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply, at Sheriff Street, in north inner city Dublin, on October 14th last. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Love/Hate actor Leroy Harris arrives at Dublin District Court at an earlier date before pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a quantity of cannabis, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply, at Sheriff Street, in north inner city Dublin, on October 14th last. Photograph: Collins Courts.

However, Harris did not turn up to his hearing today and Judge Denis McLoughlin initially issued a bench warrant for his arrest. He also noted that there was no pre-sentence report before the court because Harris had missed his appointment with his probation officer.

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Defence solicitor Cahir O’Higgins explained that his client had thought the case was due to resume on another date.

In relation to the probation report, Mr O’Higgins said Harris had been away with family members. When he returned he noticed there were letters from the Probation Service and he went to his lawyer in a panic.

Mr O’Higgins asked the judge to note that Harris had no prior criminal convictions and he pleaded for his client to be given another chance to re-engage fully with his probation officer.

He also said that an aunt of Harris had come to court and Judge McLoughlin cancelled the warrant before agreeing to order an updated pre-sentence probation report. The case was adjourned until March.