Driving ban for man with '˜appalling record'

David Armstrong, whose address was given as Drumcarn Gardens, Portadown, was also fined £300 for driving without insurance on December 5 last year.

He was fined £50 and banned for a month on charges of not displaying ‘L’ plates and driving without supervision and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that police stopped a car being driven into Corcrain Drive and spoke to the defendant who was the driver.

He confirmed he was only a provisional licence holder and did not have insurance.

There were ‘R’ plates on the car instead of ‘L’ plates.

A female in the front passenger seat confirmed she was not a full licence holder.

Deputy District Judge Brian Archer said Armstrong at the age of 21 had an ‘appalling record, with 39 previous convictions.

A barrister representing the defendant said he was also in breach of a suspended sentence but that was for another matter.

He added that Armstrong had bought the vehicle for £500 and was driving it down to his house.

The car had been seized by police.

Judge Archer pointed out that the defendant had been banned for nine months in 2012 for similar matters.