A Portadown man living on carer’s allowance claims to own three cars, two of which have a policy of insurance.
The deputy district judge branded this a “confusing” situation as he disqualified the 36-year-old for six months, but his legal representative made it known this was to be appealed.
Thomas Richmond Cassidy, of Festival Road, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without insurance at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on June 24, at 4.15pm, police stopped the defendant driving a Renault Kangoo on the Garvaghy Road, Portadown.
Checks showed that Cassidy was not insured to drive the vehicle and he was unable to provide a policy to police.
Defence counsel stated: “Mr Cassidy does not have a clear record but this is different from the other offences as they were for no licence and no insurance which on those occasions led to disqualification.
“He owns a number of vehicles. He was insured to drive these and he did attend the police station with these policies.”
She added: “He has had a licence for just over a year and has three vehicles. He is a carer for his friend, who has a heart condition.”
Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy stated: “It is strange that someone on a carer’s allowance owns three cars and has the money to insure two of them.
“He has similar entries on his record from 2007, 2012 and 2016 so he has not learned his lesson. There is something confusing about this situation.”
Cassidy was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
Defence counsel made it known that the defendant wished to appeal the sentence.
Cassidy was granted bail to appeal at £300 and was given permission to drive pending this.
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