Co Armagh lorry driver, caught using his mobile while driving, gave PSNI his brother's details, Craigavon court hears

John Robert Minish, aged 55, from Lisbane Road, Scarva, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

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Minish’s solicitor Ms Siún Downey said his client pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone while driving and obstructing a constable in a traffic order.

At Church Place, Lurgan, on September 11 this year at around 5pm, police were conducting mobile patrol duties when they spotted a heavy goods vehicle driving towards North Street.

They saw the driver holding a mobile phone up to his right ear and stopped the vehicle.

The driver spoke to police and gave his details as Jeffrey Minish and a date of birth. He was cautioned for driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Police later were contacted by that Mr Minish with that date of birth, and advised that they were not the driver. Police were told to speak with his brother John Minish.

The defendant said he would attend Lurgan station. When police saw him they confirmed it was the driver they had stopped on September 11.

"He had provided false details as those of what appears to be his brother,” said the Prosecutor, adding he was cautioned for obstruction.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan pointed to the “aggravating” feature that he was driving a lorry and obstructing police.

Ms Downey said her client instructs that he would usually have a Bluetooth system in the lorry but it wasn't working.

“He isn't very technologically advanced, and he usually relies on his sons or his nieces and nephews to link up the Bluetooth.

"He instructs that he panicked. He does drive for a living. So any of any points on his licence will have an effect on his insurance,” she said.

"He’s extremely embarrassed to be before the court today,” she said.

District Judge Ranaghan said: “The aggravating feature here is clear. Driving with the phone to your ear in any vehicle is dangerous. With being behind the steering wheel of a lorry adds significantly to that.”

For the mobile phone charge he was given a three-week driving ban and fined £250 plus the Offender Levy of £15. He was also fined £150 for obstruction.