Co Tyrone motorist with 'appalling' record given suspended jail sentence and three-year driving ban
A Co Tyrone motorist said by a District Judge to have “an appalling” record was given a five-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court on Friday.
Alexander Cassells, aged 36, from Hillcrest, Aughnacloy, was also disqualified from driving for three years on charges of driving while disqualified and having no insurance on April 9 last year.
The court heard the offences were detected when police responded to a domestic incident at the defendant’s home and were informed that Cassells had driven off in a Mercedes.
Prosecuting counsel said the defendant was a disqualified driver and when he was stopped he made no reply and was cautioned and arrested.
A defence lawyer said Cassells has a significant history of 53 convictions since the age of 16 and has a “long history” of drink and drug use.
Imposing the penalities, District Judge Francis Rafferty said Cassells has an appalling record and poor attitude.