Restricted driver was travelling at a speed of 85mph

Crawford Ogilby (18), Grovehil Avenue, Lisburn, admitted exceeding the 45mph limit as a restricted driver on February 7 this year.

He was fined £200, ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy and given four penalty points.

The court heard that police were travelling south on the A1 when they saw a vehicle with ‘R’ plates going in excess of the speed limit.

Its speed reached 85mph and police had to use their blue lights to stop the vehicle.

Along with the defendant, who was the driver, there was a woman and three young children in the car.

Ogilby accepted he was travelling at speed, saying that his mother was diabetic and needed a chocolate bar.

The court was told he had passed a filling station on the road and could also have gone into Dromore.

A solicitor for the defendant handed in a reference from his employer and a letter from his mother’s GP.

He explained that she had taken a chocolate bar but this had not addressed the problem.

The defendant’s job was at risk if he lost his licence.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said it was an ‘irresponsible piece of driving from a young and inexperienced driver’.

However, he added, he was going to give the defendant a chance.