Cookstown man was caught driving a few weeks after being disqualified
A Cookstown motorist caught driving a few weeks after being disqualified, was handed a nine-month jail sentence when he appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
David William Bradley, aged 34, from Princess Avenue in the town, was also banned from the road for three years after admitting driving while disqualified.
Bradley was released after bail was fixed to appeal the jail sentence, but permission to drive pending the appeal was refused.
Prosecuting counsel said police were on mobile patrol on February 17 when they stopped a car at William Street, Cookstown, and spoke to the defendant who was the driver.
The lawyer said checks showed there was no insurance and Bradley told them he had “ongoing matters” but nothing current.
Counsel said further enquiries by the police showed that defendant had received an interim disqualification on January 29.
District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked that the defendant was in breach of a five-month prison sentence.
A defence lawyer pointed out that the matter was a plea at the earliest opportunity.
He said although Bradley has been economically inactive for some time he had been offered a job starting in January.
The lawyer said the defendant has a lengthy record and a lengthy record for non compliance with court orders.
He submitted that rather than impose an immediate custodial sentence the court should consider deferring the matter.
Judge Rafferty rejected deferring the matter and noted that Bradley has 16 previous convictions for road traffic convictions.
He imposed an immediate four-month jail sentence and activated the suspended sentence making a total of nine months.