Driving ban for motorist who sped off from police in Larne area
A man has admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop in relation to a police chase in the Larne area.
Alan Humphrys (37), of Ballysnod Road, Larne, committed offences on January 6 this year.
He was at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday (March 26) which was told that a police patrol saw the defendant in the Shore Road area.
The defendant made "eye contact" with police and immediately turned a car and sped out of a car park. Police activated blue lights and sirens but the defendant hit speeds of 90mph in a 60mph going towards Glynn village.
Other police were alerted and another police car was ahead on the Shore Road. The defendant approached and attempted to pass that vehicle multiple times by swerving across the road. He "narrowly undertook" police and continued on to Rectory Road.
A prosecutor told Ballymena Magistrates Court: "Due to lack of pursuit-trained officers, attempts to stop the vehicle were terminated at that stage."
When interviewed the defendant told police he said that he had panicked because he had "half a gramme of 'coke'" on him.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said that it was only by the "Grace of God" the defendant had not hit or "killed" somebody.
He said that it had been "atrocious" driving and there was every reason why he should be jailed but that "not without hesitation" he was instead handing down an Enhanced Combination Order of 18 months and 100 hours Community Service and an 18 months driving ban.