Coalisland motorist caught driving without insurance on two occasions is banned from the road

Jarlath Canavan, aged 29, from Washingbay Road, Coalisland, was also fined a total of £600 with a £15 offender's levy for driving with no insurance and failing to produce his licence on July 17 and 26 this year.

District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked that when Canavan was stopped on July 17 and made aware that he had no insurance a sensible member of the public would have got insurance but he got back into the car again.

He said he would also take the unusual move of also imposing six penalty points in relation to the offence of July 17.

Dungannon Magistrates Court heard the offences were detected by police in the Ardnaskea Drive area of Coalisland and at a vehicle checkpoint in West Street, Stewartstown.

Prosecuting counsel said the defendant has a clear record.

A defence solicitor explained that the defendant had been working in England for three years and had secured a job at a local engineering firm.

He said on July 26 he "took a chance" and has not driven any vehicles since that date.

The solicitor said he travelled between sites in connection with his work and the loss of his licence will put him in a difficult position.

He stressed that the defendant does want to get on the road as quickly as possible and has been driving for 10 years without any issues.

"This was out of character for him,” the solicitor added.