Teenager banned from roads after speeding off from police on a scrambler
A teenager has been fined and disqualified from driving after he sped away from police on a scrambler without wearing a helmet.
He was also charged with having no driving licence, having no insurance, and driving without due care and attention.
The court heard that on June 13, 2025, just after 4pm, police observed the defendant driving an electric scrambler, without wearing a helmet, in the Summerhill Road and Cherry Road area of Twinbrook.
Police attempted to stop him but he accelerated away from them at speed down a pedestrian alleyway.
Police later attended the home of the defendant, Ethan Gallagher (19), whose address was given as Cherry Park in Dunmurry.
Checks showed that he did not have a driving licence and was not insured to drive the vehicle.
When questioned, he told police he had been “caught red-handed”, adding “I cant deny it”.
A defence lawyer told the court the defendant, who was 18 at the time of the offence “didn’t understand he needed a driving licence, insurance or headgear” to drive the scrambler.
He continued: “He accepts his driving was below the necessary standard.
"He had only just turned 18 at the time. He is of good character and hasn’t come to police attention since.”
District Judge Rosie Watters disqualified the defendant from driving for six months.
For failing to wear a helmet, she imposed a fine of £50, and for having no driving licence, she also imposed a fine of £50.
On the charge of driving without due care and attention, she imposed a fine of £100, and for having no insurance Ms Watters imposed a fine of £200.