A 40-year-old man with 76 previous convictions in the Republic was found behind the wheel of a car without insurance or a driving licence, Enniskillen Magistrates Court has heard.
Michael John King with an address at Macdara Road, Shantalla in Galway appeared via videolink before Monday’s hearing from Maghaberry Prison to face two charges of driving uninsured and without a valid licence.
The court heard that police were on patrol on the Killadeas Road when they observed a silver Mazda 6 being driven by King travelling towards Kesh. The defendant turned right before being stopped by police on the Ardlougher Road in Irvinestown who then made the discovery. King had told police that he was driving to Irvinestown to visit a friend. When cautioned he told police: “I’m going to come clean, I have no insurance for this vehicle.”
A representative from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) outlined that King has 76 past convictions in the Republic which included 14 for driving without insurance and two for having no licence.
Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said it was his client’s first time in court in this jurisdiction and that there had been a gap in his offending.
“He took a chance and drove the vehicle a short distance. He had bought it with the intention of selling it on,” Mr Smyth added.
District Judge Nigel Broderick imposed a three month sentence, suspended for 12 months and disqualified King from driving for one year. A fine of £115 was also imposed.
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