Police had to move out of way of speeding car which went through checkpoint in Portglenone without stopping, court told
Police had to move out of the way of a speeding car which had earlier been spotted doing a 'donut' in Portglenone, a court has heard.
Cathal McAvoy, aged 24, from Tanvally Road, Monteith, Co Down, was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to carry out 60 hours of communty service for dangerous driving.
McAvoy was also disqualified from driving for 14 months and fined a total of £500 with a £15 offender's levy for failing to stop for police and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition on November 5, 2023.
Sentencing him at Magherafelt Magistrates Court, District Judge Conor Heaney said that he had "struggled with the facts of this case" and had initially considered imposing custody.
However, the judge told McAvoy that he took into account there has been “nothing since” the time of this incident.
Prosecuting counsel said at 9.20pm, police on mobile patrol in the Portglenone area received reports of cars driving in a dangerous manner and spotted one doing a donut at a junction before making off at speed in the direction of Clady.
He said police followed and observed it overtaking several vehicles at speed without indicating.
The lawyer said it went through a police checkpoint without stopping and officers had to move out of its way.
Counsel said the vehicle reached estimated speeds of 95mph and 100mph and was observed “cutting a corner” and continuing at speed before coming to a stop.
He said the vehicle had been “lowered” and police could not examine the tyres. The lawyer added there were multiple defects and dangerous modifications to the vehicle.
When interviewed, McAvoy told police he was "very sorry”, had “simply panicked” and “did not set out to hurt anyone”.
A defence lawyer who handed into court letters from his employer and parents, said he could offer no reason for driving in the manner described other than he had panicked on seeing the police.
She said the defendant is a shy and unassuming young man who has stayed out of trouble since and has nothing pending.
Counsel added that the loss of his licence would cause hardship not only to him but to his family.