Motorist did ‘doughnuts’ before police car chase in Cookstown on icy roads

Kevin McBride, 25, a digger driver from Corvanaghan Road, subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to give information regarding the identity of the driver in relation to the incident before the court.

A prosecuting lawyer explained that at around 2am on December 25, a police patrol in the Cookstown area noticed a vehicle leaving licensed premises with its engine revving and wheels spinning.

The driver of the car then proceeded to carry out three ‘doughnut’ manoeuvres before speeding off from the police patrol.

Despite being pursued by police, the vehicle continued at speed and failed to slow or stop, the court was told.

Because of the icy conditions and the lack of lighting on the country road, the court heard, the police officers were unable to continue with their pursuit of the car but noted the registration of the vehicle.

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Five days later, police called to McBride’s home and spoke to him about the incident.

McBride agreed he was the owner of the vehicle but denied that the car had been out on the road at the time in question.

McBride also claimed that on this particular occasion, the car was “in the shed for the winter”, the prosecuting lawyer added.

Imposing a driving disqualification of six months, along with a fine of £250, District Judge John Meehan said this was the third case of its type to have been heard by him in the last month, adding: “I haven’t seen this type of offence for years.”

He also observed that this was an incident whereby two passengers were in the car while it was being driven “in a dangerous manner”.