Man took seat belt off because he had ‘an upset stomach’

Frantiek Cervenak, Glenavon Crescent, Lurgan, was fined £75 last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court for not wearing a seat belt on September 15 this year.

He was also fined £120 and given three points for using a mobile phone while driving.

The court heard that a police patrol on the Asda link road in Portadown saw the driver of a car in front lift a phone to his right ear.

While they were behind the car police again saw him put the phone to his ear. He was not wearing a seat belt.

There were five other people in the vehicle, including children. He told police: “You’re absolutely right. It was my fault.”

Mr Pat Vernon, defending, said it was a case where someone had phoned the defendant and he had answered the phone. He added that his client had an upset stomach at the time and had loosened his seat belt to give him some comfort. He had been driving for 13 years with a clear record.