A Bulgarian native who has been living in the Armagh area for six years had been using a fake driving licence.
Dancho Enev, of Banbrook Hill, Armagh, appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court charged with possession of a false Bulgarian licence, no insurance, no licence and making a false declaration in order to obtain insurance.
The 38-year-old was travelling along College Hill in Armagh in a black Vauxhall Zafira at approximately 2.30am on Monday, February 15 when he was stopped by police.
Officers spoke to the driver – the defendant – who produced a Bulgarian document they believed to be fake. On close inspection of the ID, it was not made from the material expected and had none of the security features present in a genuine document.
However, police computer checks confirmed there was an active insurance policy.
On Monday, March 8, the defendant attended Lurgan police station and during interview he made full admissions to the offences, confirming he had not sat a driving test, and had purchased the document knowing it was counterfeit. He also confirmed that he gave false information to the insurance provider in order to trigger the policy.
Defence solicitor Kevin Mallon said there was “absolutely no sophistication involved in this enterprise”.
Mr Mallon stated that his client had bought the document for 400 Bulgarian lev.
Ae added: “He has no access to a vehicle; the family have no access to a vehicle. To his credit he is employed full time as a general operative.
“He has been in this jurisdiction for six years. He has never sat a driving test and has never had a licence. He has two young children; in fact one of the children attended the office with him to interpret for him.
“He has held his hands up at the first opportunity and I would ask for maximum credit.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly disqualified Enev from driving for six months and handed out fines totalling £1,150 for the offences, including a £15 offenders’ levy.
