Ban for taking car

David Hodge, 22, of Sandford Avenue, appeared at Larne Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to charges of taking a vehicle without authority and having no insurance on November 15.

The prosecution lawyer told the court that Hodge had admitted the offences after being stopped by police at about 2.00am on Herbert Avenue.

Hodge’s lawyer said his client had taken the car after a friend telephoned him to ask for a lift. It was also said that the defendant’s mother was out of the house at the time of the offence.

District Judge Robert Alcorn said Hodge “knew perfectly well when he took the car that he had no permission to do so”.

As well as fines of 500 for each charge, Hodge was also disqualified from driving for four months for taking the car without permission.