A Craigavon man has been disqualified from driving for a month after claiming he did not know he needed to change insurance to become a delivery driver.
Court heard that at the time he was stopped the 38-year-old had only worked in the job for a few weeks and had not been told of the insurance needs by his employer.
Anthony Harte, of Drumbeg, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without insurance at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was revealed he was detected at around 6pm on June 24 driving a Seat Leon on Union Street, Lurgan, for the purpose of delivering kebabs.
Court heard Harte appeared with no points on his licence.
Defence solicitor Suin Downey informed the court the defendant had entered into employment as a delivery driver just a few weeks before he was detected.
He engaged in this work after he had been laid off from a factory.
It was heard Harte had two children and had not been made aware of the need to change his insurance policy once he was in this new role.
Ms Downey stated the problem had been rectified two days later.
She also asked that a short disqualification be given as opposed to penalty points as Harte was still a newly qualified driver.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said: “You already had insurance, so you were not trying to dodge the law completely.”
He added: “I accept his explanation of his employment and this situation.”
Harte was disqualified for one month and ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
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