Dungannon man drove at 104mph while disqualified

Arturas Skalisius, 20, of Laghey Court, Dungannon pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, excess speed, obstructing a constable, using a motor vehicle without insurance and possessing a false identity document.

A court heard how police were on mobile patrol on the A4 Dual Carriageway when they were overtaken by a vehicle, who seemed to be driving in excess of the speed limit which is set at 70mph. Police accelerated and maintained a distance behind the defendant who was driving at a speed which police noticed was in excess of 104mph.

Police signalled for the defendant to stop and they spoke to the defendant and advised him he would be reported to the PPS for the matter. They later realised he had provided them with false details, and so they called at his address to arrest him and a subsequent search found a licence which matched the details given at the roadside. Mr Skalisius admitted to being a disqualified driver and told police the licence belonged to his twin brother who had just returned to Lithuania- despite their being a seven year age gap between the details provided.

A court heard how Mr Skalisius was handed down a suspended sentence just last week for similar charges of driving while disqualified.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said Mr Skalisius “doesn’t exactly bathe himself in glory with how he dealt with matters with the police.”

A court was also told a vehicle was seized in relation to the incident last week, and that these offences occurred in another vehicle. Subsequently, Judge Ievers also ordered forfeiture of the other vehicle.

Mr Skalisius was sentenced to 3 months in prison for driving while disqualified, 3 months for no insurance, 3 months for false documents, all to run concurrent and suspended for a period of 2 years.

Judge Ievers also imposed fines of £200 for excess speed, and £100 for obstructing a constable, plus a £15 offender levy. He was also disqualified from driving for 15 months.