THE INJURED PARTY in a two vehicle road traffic collision in Belleek was later discovered by police to be a learner driver. Derek Ernest Love (62), of Melvin Park, Garrison was convicted in his absence of being an unaccompanied L driver and for not displaying his L plates at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

The prosecutor outlined that on January 10, 2016 police attended a two vehicle road traffic collision on the Brollagh Road, Belleek. The defendant was the driver of one of the vehicle’s involved. He was the driver of a vehicle which collided with another car that was travelling on the wrong side of the road. 

After speaking to police Love said he only had a provisional driving licence and was not displaying his L plates nor was he accompanied by a qualified driver.

Defence solicitor Niall Bogue explained that although his client had a record it was of some vintage and dated back some 30 years. He told the court these offences came to light as a result of the crash in which Love was the injured party and the driver of the other vehicle was subsequently arrested for dangerous driving.

Explaining why the defendant did not have a licence Mr Bogue said his client had re-sat his test twice and failed both times. The defence told the court that when he was stopped Love was with his daughter in the vehicle, which he thought covered him to drive. This was not the case however, as she only held a provisional licence in the South.

District judge Nigel Broderick said he was unsure whether to disqualify the defendant or not. He adjourned sentencing until April 6 to seek clarification from the defendant about whether he was re-sitting his test and why he failed the test previously.