Police reached speeds of 115 mph attempting to keep up with Moneymore driver on A29 dual carriageway, court told

Ross Curran, aged 32, whose address was given at Old Mill Court, Moneymore, was fined a total of £590 and disqualified from driving for 12 months on charges of driving with excess alcohol, careless driving, having no insurance, no licence and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent on January 1.

District Judge Conor Heaney told Curran that this was “a very poor episode on your part”, and he was fortunate not to be facing a more serious charge in light of the facts.

The court heard on New Year’s Day police were on mobile patrol heading in the direction of Moneymore when a vehicle passed at an excessive speed.

Prosecuting counsel said police attempted to keep up with it and reached speeds of 115 mph.

He said, without indication, the car turned right into Bridger Street in the village, and then into Hammond Street where it pulled up.

Counsel said police removed the keys from the ignition and the defendant failed a preliminary breath test.

The lawyer said Curran told police he had a couple of drinks and had no insurance and was arrested.

He later provided an evidential specimen of breath showing an alcohol reading of 48 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.

When interviewed, the defendant told police someone else owned the vehicle and he had taken it.

A defence lawyer said Curran had made full admissions to police.

She said he has not been driving for sometime and relied on lifts from his parents.