R- driver banned for speeding

Mark Mulholland (18), of Ballynease Road, was charged with speeding while an R-driver on March 19.

Antrim Magistrates Court heard that Mulholland was driving at 98mph on the M2 motorway despite being restricted to 45mph.

Defence provided the court with two character witnesses and Mulholland’s father explained to the court the defendant needs a car for his job.

Defence added: “His licence is very important to him, he does accept the speed was unacceptable.”

District Judge Robert Alcorn replied: “How does he not know the difference between 45mph and 100mph?”

Mr Alcorn fined Mulholland 300 and banned him from driving for 12 months.

He added: “I have warned about this [speeding] before but you all seem to forget about it.”