Daniel Beattie (21) of Brien Crescent, Ballinamallard appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, speeding, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. 

The defendant denied the charges, claiming it was “a case of mistaken identity,” stating he was at home with diarrhoea on the day in question.

The court heard from a police officer who had been on mobile patrol on Henry Street on November 13 last with another officer when they encountered a silver Vauxhall Vectra behind them on Queen Street. The car then moved into another lane and was driving alongside the police car, when the officer said he caught a glimpse of the driver who he believed to be Beattie. 

The officer, who’d known Beattie for a couple of years, said instead of looking straight ahead the defendant looked out his window to the right, in what the officer believed was an attempt by the defendant to conceal his identity. 

When the officers activated their car’s lights and sirens, the defendant took off towards Johnston Bridge, travelling at speeds of around 60mph on the Cornagrade Road. 

The officer said Beattie was crossing the central white line, overtaking cars, and causing other motorists to take evasive action to avoid a collision. 

At the Cherrymount roundabout, Beattie turned left towards Irvinestown, and drove around the hospital roundabout at so fast it caused the back of his car to slide. 

Beattie was then unable to overtake due to oncoming traffic, so he performed an undertaking manoeuvre on the inside of a car, driving onto the grass verge. This gave the police a chance to catch up with the Vectra, and the officer said he got a longer look at Beattie. Having felt they’d established who was driving, the officers then stopped their pursuit for safety reasons. Beattie drove off in the direction of Killadeas at the Trory roundabout. 

On the stand, Beattie, who later presented himself for voluntary interview at station after being informed police wished to speak with him, said the case was “complete mistaken identity, it has to be.”

The defendant, who denied being the driver in his police interview, said was at home as he was throwing up and had diarrhoea the next day, and hadn’t got out of bed until mid-afternoon. He said he didn’t think anyone else in his house knew he was at home. 

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he felt Beattie’s evidence was “vague” on a number of issues, and said he was satisfied the police officer had recognised Beattie as the driver of the car. 

Judge Broderick ordered a short pre-sentence report and adjourned sentencing until August 21.