Man who drove quad with child on his lap loses licence

AN Ederney man who drove a quad with a child on his lap has been fined, disqualified from driving and handed a suspended sentence.
Thomas Caldwell (51) of Leathem Crescent, Ederney appeared in Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with using a vehicle without insurance, failing to wear protective headgear and no driving licence.
The prosecution outlined on 31 August this year Police in Ederney observed a quad move from the public road onto a footpath and travel toward Police. The driver was noted to have no helmet on. Defence solicitor Tommy Owens explained that Caldwell had a child on his lap while driving as he was doing a favour for an ex-partner.
It was said the child was autistic and had insisted on Caldwell taking him on his quad. Mr Owens referred to the incident as a “very unfortunate happening”.
District Judge Steven Keown remarked that quads with young children on them can be “very dangerous” and there is a reason why protective headgear is required. Addressing Caldwell he commented that his record was nothing to be proud of. Judge Keown gave him a three month custodial sentence suspended for a year and disqualified him from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £150 for failing to wear protective headgear and £200 for no licence.