Driver did not tell insurance firm he was disqualified

Bartosz Henryk Rak, Elmdale Court, Banbridge, was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for driving while disqualified on January 19 this year. He was also banned from driving for nine months.

For not having insurance on the same date was fined £200 and banned for six months. A fine of £100 was imposed for failing to disclose he was disqualified when he took out insurance on January 18.

He was ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that a police mobile patrol on the Scarva Road on January 19 saw the defendant driving a car and they were aware he was disqualified. He had been banned on October 15.

They stopped him and Rak confirmed that he was disqualified and it transpired he had not revealed he was banned when he took out an insurance policy the previous day.

A barrister representing the defendant said this was a renewal of a pre-existing policy and Rak was unaware of any obligation to mention his disqualification.

He explained that the defendant usually got a lift to work with a colleague but on this occasion he took a chance and got into the vehicle.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that courts take a very serious view when an order is breached.