District judge warns Magherafelt motorist if there is any further offending he would face immediate custody of three months
A south Derry man said by the district judge to have three convictions for no insurance, has been given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months at Magherafelt Magistrates Court.
Judge Conor Heaney also imposed fines totalling £425 with a £15 offender's levy and imposed a one-year driving disqualification.
Before the court was 31-year-old Brian Taylor of Mullaghboy Glen, Magherafelt, who admitted charges of having no insurance, obstructing police, having no driving licence, and taking a vehicle without consent of the owner.
The court heard the offences came to light when police stopped a car on the Moneymore Road, Magherafelt, at 3pm on January 4 this year.
Prosecuting counsel said the defendant gave police incorrect details, and later told them that he thought he could get away with it and that he had paid for insurance but not in his name.
Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton admitted it was “risk taking behaviour” by Taylor who had taken his partner’s vehicle on this occasion.
Mr Atherton stressed the defendant had entered pleas to the charges at the earliest opportunity and asked the court to give him credit.
He said Taylor was in a long term relationship and was a partner in a recruitment agency which was a very success venture.
Imposing the penalties, Judge Heaney remarked that the defendant had shown “a blasé attitude” which he said is referenced in the pre-sentence report.
The judge told the defendant if there was any further offending he would face immediate custody of three months.