Lost control on black ice and crashed into fence

John Joseph Mulholland, whose address was given to the court as Drumellan Mews, Craigavon, admitted driving without due care and attention at Aughnacloy Road, Katesbridge, on December 14 last year.

He was fined £200, ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy, and given six penalty points last Thursday at Banbridge Magistrates Court.

Fines of £100 were imposed for failing to remain at the scene and failing to report an accident.

The court heard that when police went to the scene of the accident where fencing had been broken they found the partial registration number of a car.

Inquiries linked the vehicle to the defendant who accepted he had been driving on the road and because of the conditions he lost control and collided with the fence.

Because of the time of night he left the scene and did not report the accident.

Mr Peter Murphy, representing the defendant, said the cost to repair the damage to the fence was £57 and this had been paid by his client.

He added that Mulholland had lost control of the vehicle on black ice.

He was returning from Newcastle after leaving his son there. The accident happened between 2.30am and 3am.

Mr Murphy explained that the defendant did not know who owned the fence until he was contacted by police. He was given the farmer’s phone number and agreed to pay for the damage.