Up and coming Dunmurry boxer appears in court

Mark Anthony Lavery, 23, of Lagmore Drive, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court this week charged with using a motor vehicle without insurance, possessing Class B controlled drugs, driving without displaying L plates and being an unaccompanied L driver.

The court heard that the defendant on March 9 drove a BMW car unaccompanied and without L plates or insurance at White Rise and he also had cannabis in his possession.

Defence explained Lavery was the primary carer for his brother who has mental health difficulties and had bought the car to take lessons but the urge to drive was “too strong”.

Defence said there was hope the defendant would go into professional boxing and outlined how the defendant can remain drugs and drink free for periods of time.

District Judge Rosie Watters told the defendant she did not want to see him back in court again.

She said if he was back again the court would look at another type of sentence.

Ms Watters said it was hard to understand why someone so involved in sports would get himself into this type of trouble.

Ms Watters banned Lavery from driving for six months and imposed a fine of £250.

She also imposed a defendant’s levy of £15 for driving without insurance, £100 for being in possession of drugs and ordered a conditional discharge for each of the other charges. She ordered the destruction of the drugs and allowed the defendant 26 weeks to pay the fine.