Judge tells driver he is an ‘absolute idiot’

Appearing remotely at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday was 22-year-old Andrew Newell from Ballymaguire Road, Stewartstown, who was given a five-month jail sentence, suspended for three years.

Judge Oonagh Mullan also disqualified Newell from driving for three years and fined him a total of £200 with a £15 offender levy.

Newell admitted driving while disqualified, having no insurance, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and failing to display front and rear number plates.

None of the facts were opened in the court but the offences related to an incident at Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore, on January 20 last year.

The court heard that Newell had been given a suspended jail sentence for similar offences at the Magistrates Court in Dungannon last month.

Defence lawyer Liam McStay said there was “no excuse” for the offending.

Mr McStay said the defendant is a young hard working man “who is showing some signs that he is moving away from this type of offending”.

Sentencing Newell, Judge Mullan said while the defendant is well qualified and hard working she was concerned by his “total disregard” for the road traffic regulations when he gets behind the wheel of a car.