An Armagh man has been disqualified from driving for six months for several offences committed in the same week.
Upon hearing that the 34-year-old was clocked driving in excess of 100mph on the motorway, the district judge commented: “That is an awful speed for someone not long off their ‘R’ plates.”
Glen Carroll, 34, of Navan Cottages, pleaded guilty to excess speed, two counts of failing to produce his licence and two counts of defective tyres at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
These offences were accrued by the defendant over two incidents within five days of each other.
Court heard that on January 14, police circulated to find a vehicle which had been reported due to the manner in which it had been driven.
Officers spoke to the defendant on the Armagh Road, Portadown, where he was asked to produce his licence.
Whilst there, police noted that two of the tyres of Carroll’s vehicle were defective.
When cautioned, the defendant stated that he had been stopped three weeks prior and told that they were barely legal.
Carroll also claimed he had ordered two new tyres for the vehicle.
Prosecution informed the court that the defendant failed to produce his licence to police within the seven days offered to him.
The second offence occurred on January 19, at 3.20pm. Carroll was detected by police driving a Seat Leon on the M1, at junction 10, at a speed of 101mph.
When stopped, he asked police if he would get points for the offence.
He also informed the officers that he was on his way to see his father in hospital.
Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy stated: “That is an awful speed for someone not long off their ‘R’ plates.”
Defence solicitor John McAtamney said: “Mr Carroll had been in a rush to see his father for the visiting hours in the hospital.
“With regards to the tyres he had made efforts to replace them but was unable to pay for them but he had done so when he was stopped on the 19th”.
He added: “Six penalty points will see him off the road, I ask that he is given a short disqualification instead.
“He does have a record from 2003 when he was a young man, he was also disqualified for three years in 2009.”
Carroll was handed eight penalty points which resulted in a six-month disqualification.
In addition, he was ordered to pay a fine of £450, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
