Motorist ‘crashed into telegraph pole near Tobermore after high-speed car chase’

Connor O’Kane (23), of Birren Road, Dungiven, is accused of dangerous driving between Derrynoyd Road and Tobermore Road, Draperstown, on July 7 last year.

District Judge Alan White adjourned the case until August 12 for a pre sentence report.

A prosecuting lawyer said police were operating a checkpoint at Derrynoyd-Wood Road junction when the defendant’s VW car approached.

Counsel said the vehicle stopped before turning round and heading back towards Draperstown.

The police using blue flashing lights drove after the car which sped towards a roundabout causing a BMW car to mount the roundabout, the lawyer went on.

He said defendant’s vehicle turned left and continued at high speeds over speed bumps in the direction of Tobermore,

The prosecutor said police decided to discontinue the chase as it was “high risk.”

Continuing, he said the defendant passed a police road block outside Tobermore at high speed before crashing into a BT pole.

The lawyer said on arrival at the scene police found a female exiting the vehicle who told them she did not know where the defendant had gone.