Expensive move

Not only did 43-year-old Michael Robert McDowell, of Ennis Close, Lurgan, get fined a total of 375 at Craigavon court last Thursday but the court heard he had to pay 680 in car tax arrears and 490 to recover the vehicle after it had been seized.

McDowell was fined 300, with seven penalty points, for driving without insurance on December 7 last and 75 for not having a vehicle test certificate.

The court heard the offences came to light when he was stopped by police in High Street while driving a BMW X5.

Mr Peter Murphy, representing the defendant, said this was total stupidity on McDowell’s part.

He explained that car had been parked at the defendant’s ex-wife’s house for over a year. She was getting renovation work done and it had to be moved.

Mr Murphy explained that McDowell decided to move it himself and was stopped. He had to pay 680 in car tax arrears and 490 to recover the car which has been seized because it was not taxed.

He added that the defendant had since sold the vehicle and got a van for his work in the plastering trade.