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Uninsured driver parked across road from broker claims he was on way to get policy

'I hope you have learned not to be on the road until you are insured'

A Craigavon man who claimed he was on his way to purchase insurance when detected by police has been handed six penalty points.

The 30-year-old said he had been parking across the road from the insurance broker when spoken to by officers.

Landim Helmer Correia, of Enniskeen, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without insurance at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Court heard that on August 2, at around 4.30pm, police on patrol in the Craigavon area observed the defendant driving a Renault Megane on the Lurgan Road, which was flagged as being uninsured.

Officers approached Correia after he turned into a car park.

When questioned, the defendant admitted to not having insurance but said he was in the process of obtaining a policy.

Correia, who represented himself in court, stated he had been waiting for his Portuguese licence to be transferred to a Northern Ireland one.

On the day in question, he said he was on his way to the insurance company and had been stopped in a car park across the road from the broker.

District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “I hope you have learned not to be on the road until you are insured.”

Correia was handed six penalty points and ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 10 weeks.

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