Ballymoney butcher (88) fined for driving offence

Archie Hart, with an address in Newbridge Road, Coleraine, was in North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Wednesday of last week where he pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at Newbridge Road on February 9 this year.

A prosecutor said there was a collision between the defendant’s vehicle and another vehicle around 6pm at the junction of Newbridge Road and a turn-off into Ballymoney. Two people in the other vehicle were taken to hospital by ambulance.

A defence solicitor said a bus had been stopped in the central reservation on the Newbridge Road waiting to turn onto the road to go into Ballymoney and his client had stopped at the junction waiting to turn out onto the Newbridge Road.

He said the incident took place just before ‘lighting up’ time when it could be difficult to judge distances and as the bus started to move Mr Hart thought it was safe to drive out and collided with another vehicle.

The solicitor said: “He is here today because he takes this seriously. He is of the generation that takes this very seriously. It was a momentary lapse.” He said Mr Hart is very astute and very alert.

The solicitor said Mr Hart has been a local butcher “businessman and boy” since 1934 and he has been serving meat to the people of Ballymoney all that time and is now even dealing with the grandchildren of customers from days gone by.

District Judge Richard Wilson asked Mr Hart if he is still working to which he replied yes.

Mr Wilson said: “Good for you.”

Mr Wilson said Mr Hart is an example to us all with is work commitment and he noted that work helps to keep the mind active.

He told Mr Hart his clear record was very creditable and it was unfortunate that he was now appearing in court but he was sure it was a one-off.

The defendant was fined 100 and given three penalty points.