Man 'really lost it' after MOT failure

29-year-old Terence Donaghy of Altananam Park, swore for 25 minutes during the incident on July 3 last year.

At North Antrim Magistrates Court on Friday, the defendant was fined 250 when he pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour.

A prosecutor said Donaghy went to the Test Centre to get a vehicle tested and after it was examined and failed he told an employee: "You need to catch a grip and live in the real world".

He went on to swear repeatedly and words used included the phrase 'you are all f--kers and b-----ds".

District Judge Richard Wilson said: "That is certainly one way to guarantee failure of an MOT".

A defence lawyer accepted it was "inappropriate behaviour" against "public officials just doing their job".

He said the offence was out of character and at the time his client was under a lot of pressure.

He said the defendant had previously been to the Test Centre and failed a test with three issues pointed out which involved, brakes, lens and a seat.

The defence lawyer said Donaghy was told by an instructor he only needed to correct the brakes and he sorted it out and went back to the Test Centre but another instructor refused him a pass on the other matters.

The defence lawyer said although Donaghy's language which should never be used against anyone the official in question did not think he was going to be assaulted at any stage and there was "no question of any violence or any fear of violence".

The court heard Donaghy was a lorry driver who made supermarket deliveries but he has now stopped the business.

Fining Donaghy, District Judge Wilson said: "You really lost it didn't you?" and when he said it would cost him the defendant replied: "Like everything else".

Mr Wilson said the defendant should "keep his lips zipped next time" when he goes to the Test Centre and the defendant agreed he should have done.