Suspended sentence for Dromara farmer who used his mobile phone whilst driving
A Dromara man has been given a suspended prison sentence, fined, and disqualified from driving after police saw him using his mobile phone whilst driving.
Stephen Clinghan, aged 43, whose address was given as Rathfriland Road, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with using a mobile phone whilst driving, having no driving licence, and obstructing police.
The court heard that on March 8, 2024, police on patrol in Dromara at 8pm observed the defendant driving a vehicle with a phone to his right ear.
It was stated that the police had a clear view of the defendant at the time.
The vehicle was stopped on the Rathfriland Road. The defendant exited the vehicle and was still on the phone at the time.
His behaviour was described as “quite aggressive”, the court heard.
Police agreed to follow him to his home address, where it was said he was dismissive of the police.
He was advised by the officers that he would be reported for the matter,
A defence lawyer told the court the defendant farms 600 acres with 400 cattle and has 12 employees.
He continued: “He said the female police officer was very pleasant but there was an issue with the male police officer.
"He is exceptionally sorry. He is a man under considerable pressure.”
District Judge Rosie Watters acknowledged that the defendant was “very successful”, adding “it’s a big business”.
She stated that this was not the first time the defendant had been before the court for using his mobile phone whilst driving.
She told the defendant: “You didn’t seem to take it seriously. I don’t expect you to be back here again.”
On the charge of obstructing police, Ms Watters imposed a four-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.
On the charge of using a mobile phone whilst driving, she imposed a fine of £300, and offender’s levy of £15, and disqualified the defendant from driving for a period of three months.
On the charge of having no driving licence, Ms Watters imposed a fine of £300 and disqualified the defendant from driving for three months.
Defence sought leave to appeal the sentence.
Ms Watters granted the leave to appeal with £500 bail.