A judge has advised a driver caught without insurance for the 39th time to “bring a bag” when he returns to court for sentencing next month.
Paul Cairnduff (42) of Carlisle Park, Ballynahinch committed the offence in the Tamnamore Road area Dungannon on September 9, last year, when he was also driving without a licence.
Entering guilty pleas to both charges on the defendant’s behalf at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court a defence barrister conceded the previous record is “appalling”.
He also pointed out Cairnduff is subject to a live suspended prison sentence imposed at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court last year for the same offences.
District Judge Francis Rafferty enquired: “What exactly is the problem here?”
The defence replied: “Apart from the previous 38 convictions for no insurance?”
The judge said: “I’m assuming it’s high premiums or, in the defendant’s particular case, very, very high premiums given his previous record.”
The defence pointed out under the circumstances pre-sentence reports would be of assistance to the court which was agreed by Judge Rafferty.
He adjourned the case until March 14 and addressing Cairnduff directly, advised: “When you come back to court for sentencing, bring a bag.”
