Banned driver who took car to Lidl for ‘necessities’ warned of ‘hefty sentence’ if back before court

A Craigavon woman with various road traffic violations on her record has been told if she continues she will be in for a “hefty sentence”.

The deputy district judge told the 50-year-old: “You’ve been very fortunate today, don’t come back before the court again.”

Pamela Crossley, of Parkmore, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance and taking a vehicle without authority at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Court heard that on December 31, at around 5pm, police received a report of an abandoned Renault Megane on Highfield Road, Craigavon.

Officers arrived noting that the front passenger wheel was detached and the rear passenger wheel arch was damaged.

They spoke to the last registered owner of the car and it was established that the defendant had been the driver.

Crossley was a disqualified driver at the time of the offence.

Defence solicitor Gabriel Ingram stated: “There has been a gap in her offending prior to her disqualification going back to 2015.

“This was her daughter’s car, no one else was in the house and she had to go to Lidl to buy necessities.”

He said: “This was only a short distance away but Ms Crossley is unsteady on her feet and requires crutches.

“She took the car as she could not walk this distance.”

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay commented: “In recent years she had been given two serious warnings in the form of suspended sentences for driving without insurance.

“I am just not confident that she will not do the same again.”

Mr Ingram stated: “She is very contrite about the incident and still has problems with her mobility.”

Deputy District Judge McStay said: “Ms Crossley, you should be going to jail today, you have previously been given suspended sentences by this court and that is normally the last stop before immediate custody.

“Now you have driven whilst disqualified also. I fail to see any justification in not sending you to jail today.”

He continued: “I am concerned that no matter what this court does you are going to ignore it and continue to be on the road.

“If there is a repetition of these matters you will be in for a hefty sentence.”

Crossley was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years and was handed a three-year disqualification.

Deputy District Judge McStay told the defendant: “You’ve been very fortunate today, don’t come back before the court again.”

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