Man had 70 previous convictions on record

Thomas Coulter, Lincoln Walk, Banbridge, is facing charges of driving while disqualified on July 29 last year, unlawful possession on a class C drug, Tramadol, handling stolen goods, a van, having registration plates in connection with a fraud and using a van without insurance.

The case had been on the contest list last week but a barrister representing Coulter said he had informed the prosecution to stand down the witnesses.

The court was told there were live suspended sentences on Coulter’s record.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, pointed out that there were 70 previous convictions on the defendant’s record.

He added that whether the custody threshold had to be considered and adjourned sentencing until June 9 for a pre-sentence report.