Coagh man banned from road after driving on pavement '˜to speak to friend'

Aaron O’Neill, (21), of Drumenny Road, Coagh, was fined a total of £525 and banned from driving for 12 months.

O’Neill admitted driving without due care and attention, having no insurance, and no driving licence on October 16 last.

Prosecuting counsel said police travelling towards on the Toome bypass towards Castledawson came on a traffic queue at Castledawson junction.

She said police saw a car drive up onto the kerb and continue along the pavement and indicated for it to stop.

The lawyer said the defendant got out of the vehicle and ran off. She said that he was subsequently spoken to by police and admitted the offences.

A defence lawyer said the defendant had been at his partner’s house and they had stopped off at Toome.

He said O’Neill had “very foolishly” decided to drive along the pavement to speak to a friend.

The solicitor stressed that defendant had been frank with police in his subsequent interview and admitted he didn’t have insurance.

He pointed out that O’Neill had two convictions for no insurance and his driving on his occasion had been utterly unnecessary.

The lawyer added that after being disqualified the defendant had not applied for a licence.