A woman who pulled out of a junction and nearly collided with a police car claims that she was not familiar with the area.
Court heard that police were forced to brake sharply after the 21-year-old pulled out onto a main Co Armagh road.
Katherine Dougan, of Marian Villas in Rostrevor, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on October 3, at 5pm, police observed a Citroen car static at a junction with the Portadown Road, in Portadown.
As officers approached the car pulled out and did not leave enough time or space meaning police had to brake sharply.
Court heard that conditions were wet and there was moderate traffic at the time.
When spoken to by police, defendant apologised for the nature of her driving.
Defence counsel stated: “She has been driving for three years, she has no record, no points and is a music student at Magee college.
“On the day in question, she was at a charity event in Portadown. She had been on her way home but was not familiar with the roads and had turned in to go back on herself.”
He added: “She instructs that she misjudged the speed and distance of the oncoming traffic.”
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer stated: “This was a plea at the first opportunity. She will be given credit for her clear record and the fact she had been at a charity function.
“She clearly had an inexperience of this stretch of road and was fully cooperative with police.”
Defendant was handed three penalty points and was ordered to pay a fine of £75, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 26 weeks.
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