A 41-year-old man has been charged with a number of drug offences.

He was arrested on Sunday as part of a police investigation into an assault on a man.

The suspect has now been charged to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 27, with offences including cultivating cannabis and possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.

As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed  by the Public Prosecution Service.

The charges follow an incident in the Loughside Drive area of Ballynahinch in the early hours of yesterday morning, Sunday, September 2.

A police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 5.40 am on Sunday, September 2, police received a report that a 21 year old man had been assaulted.

“He has been taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.”