Lisburn driver was found to have drugs, including cocaine, in his system when stopped by police
A Lisburn man charged with a number of driving offences has been fined and banned from the roads.
Stephen Alan Mark, aged 37, whose address was given as Bridge Street in Lisburn, appeared before the city’s magistrates court charged with driving whilst unfit, having no driving licence, and having no insurance.
The court heard that on November 1, 2025 at midnight, police observed a vehicle at Antrim Street in Lisburn. Checks showed there was no insurance for the vehicle and that the defendant did not have a valid driving licence.
It was stated that the defendant had been disqualified from driving and had not reapplied for his driving licence at the end of the period of disqualification.
When speaking with the defendant, officers noted his speech was slurred.
A roadside breath test gave a zero reading. However, when in custody, a blood test showed the defendant had drugs in his system, including methamphetamine and cocaine.
A defence lawyer told the court the defendant had been disqualified from driving in 2010 and hadn’t reapplied for his licence.
"He wouldn’t ordinarily be on the road as he didn’t have a licence,” he continued.
"He was in the vehicle for a very, very brief period of time.
"He did cooperate with the police and accepts there was some level of drugs in his system. He does suffer from addiction issues.”
District Judge Rosie Watters noted that the defendant had first appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court as a juvenile in 2006.
"It is still an issue,” she said.
On the charge of driving whilst unfit, Ms Watters disqualified the defendant from driving for 18 months and stated that he must resit his driving test at the end of the period of disqualification.
She also imposed a fine of £250 and an offender’s levy of £15.
On the charge of having no insurance, Ms Watters disqualified the defendant from driving for six months and imposed a fine of £200.
On the charge of having no driving licence, the defendant was disqualified from driving for six months and imposed a fine of £50.
She allowed the defendant 26 weeks to pay the fines.