Prosecution says 42-year-old on e-scooter 'claimed not to understand English' when spoken to by police in Ballymena
A man who crossed a dual-carriageway in Ballymena on an e-scooter "claimed not to understand English" when spotted by police, a prosecution lawyer said.
The 42-year-old was detected using the e-scooter without insurance or a licence at Larne Road Link on May 6 this year.
Around 2.50pm police were on mobile patrol and saw the defendant, Ion Grancea, of Paradise Mews, Ballymena, on an e-scooter "crossing the dual-carriageway".
The prosecutor added: "He was stopped and claimed not to understand English at that stage and the telephone interpretation service was used."
A defence solicitor told Ballymena Magistrates Court the defendant didn't realise he required insurance and "wasn't given any warning whenever he was purchasing" the scooter.
He said the defendant has lived here for ten years and works in a food processing plant. The defendant had the assistance of an interpreter at court.
Grancea, who had "one relevant" entry on his record, has been banned from driving for three months and fined £275.