The student failed to stop at a police checkpoint
A-19-year-old student who nearly ran over a police officer at a vehicle checkpoint has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £250.
In the case heard at Enniskillen Magistrates Court it was explained that on June 1, 2013 police were operating a vehicle checkpoint at a junction of the Pettigo Road, Kesh.
They were then approached by the defendant, Richard James Kerrigan of Derryneeve Road, Kesh, driving a Ford Focus.
Kerrigan cut across the right hand junction and failed to stop despite the police officer wearing a high visibility jacket and waving a red light.
Due to the driving of the defendant the officer had to jump out of the way of the moving vehicle.
The police officer statement confirmed he had run to the side of the road for his own safety.
Police later came across the vehicle abandoned down a concrete lane with its lights still on. Officers noted they could hear running across the nearby field. Inside the vehicle police found the defendant’s licence.
When they spoke to the defendant he told them he had not seen the policeman on the road.
Defence barrister Heather Philips explained that this was a dark road on a dark night. She also noted that Kerrigan had cooperated fully with police and said there had been no issue with speed at the time of the incident. Ms Philips told the court that the passenger in the vehicle had been involved in an assault before the incident at the Mayfly Inn, Kesh, was injured and was bleeding.
She told the court that Kerrigan was concerned they were being pursued and wanted to get the passenger home safe.
District judge Nigel Broderick said what concerned him most was that Kerrigan had not seen the policeman in the middle of the road and added that a competent and careful should have been able to see him.
The judge added that that the situation could have been much more serious had the defendant collided with the police officer.
In mitigation the defence barrister said Kerrigan had no relevant record and asked for credit for his behaviour in dealing with police.
For the charges of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police the judge imposed the fine and disqualification.
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