A man who was left with broken ribs and bones as a result of an accident which occurred as he drove whilst disqualified has been handed a suspended sentence.
Court heard how police arrived at the scene of the one vehicle collision to find the 46-year-old trapped inside a Toyota car which was on its side.
Lawrence William Stewart, of Cloughrea, Co Meath, appeared for sentencing on driving whilst disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday via videolink from his solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on February 5, at 10.45am, police received a report of a one vehicle collision on the Coolkill Road, Tynan.
Upon arrival, officers observed a Toyota on its side with this defendant trapped in the driver’s seat.
Fire Service and Ambulance were in attendance, with Stewart being freed from the vehicle and assessed in the rear of the ambulance.
It was later discovered by police that the defendant was a disqualified driver and did not have insurance to drive on the day in question.
He was arrested on February 8. When interviewed he accepted knowing that he was a disqualified and uninsured driver at the time of the collision.
Defence solicitor Padraig Tiernan told court that his client is a self-employed building contractor and that on the day in question one of his employees had been unable to attend a site, which led to Stewart’s “foolish decision”.
The solicitor revealed the defendant was no longer working due to injuries suffered as a result of the collision, namely broken bones in his back and two broken ribs.
He went on to explain that the incident occurred after what his client described as a “blackout”.
Deputy District Judge Laura Ivers stated: “Obviously, as a result of this incident you will have a conviction but I also note the injuries you suffered as a result.
“It is also clear from the PSR (presentence report) that you are trying to turn your life around.”
Stewart was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years and was disqualified from driving for a period of one year.
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