Castledawson painter called police officers liars 'every f**king one of you' when stopped for using phone while driving
A painter spotted using his mobile phone as he turned at a staggered junction on Moyola Road, Castledawson, lost his licence for six months at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that two police officers taking part in a road safety operation at 8.15am on October 17 last year, observed the defendant driving a Transit van and holding the phone to his right ear and moving his lips.
Forty-two-year-old Steven Walsh, of Ballydermott Road, Castledawson, had denied a charge of using the phone while driving, but then entered a guilty plea on the morning of the contest.
District Judge Conor Heaney imposed a fine of £150 with a £15 offender’s levy and six penalty points which totted up with Walsh’s six active penalty points resulted in the six-month disqualification.
Prosecuting counsel said when spoken to by the police, the defendant called them liars “every f**king one of you”.
A defence lawyer said despite his late plea the defendant was still entitled for credit.
He explained that Walsh lived in a rural area and needed his licence for work and for caring duties for his parents, five children, and two grandchildren who lived in Dungannon.
Counsel said the defendant accepted that he did not deal with the police officers in the way that he should have.
Judge Heaney said the case had been listed on two occasions for hearing and on the day of contest he enters a guilty plea.
He noted that Walsh has 46 previous convictions and six active penalty points.