DNA linked man to crash

A BROUGHSHANE man who took his friend's car without permission and crashed it was apprehended as a result of DNA found at the scene, Ballymena Magistrates Court was told.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Sep 2010, 14:10 BST
Updated 27th Sep 2010, 10:38 BST

Richard Forsythe, of Cloneytrace Road, was fined a total of 425, had his licence endorsed with seven penalty points and was given a 12-month conditional discharge after admitting charges of failing to remain at the scene of an accident; failing to report an accident; no insurance; driving without due care and attention; and taking a motor vehicle without authority.

The court was told that police investigating a hit-and-run accident at Larne Road on December 6, in which another vehicle was significantly damaged, spoke to the registered owner, who told them Forsythe must have taken the car without his permission.

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Forsythe’s DNA was found to be a match of that taken from the car, the court was told.

Barrister Michael Smith said Forsythe had little recollection of the incident and had pleaded guilty as a result of the DNA match.

“He was heavily medicated at the time and that may be a factor in why he can’t remember a lot.

“Whilst it was a regrettable incident, it doesn’t appear that anyone was hurt or inconvenienced,” the barrister added.