Prison threat for man with 41 convictions

With 41 previous convictions on his record a 48-year-old man was told if he was caught driving without insurance again he would be going to prison.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th May 2016, 07:36 BST
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavelJudge's court wig and hammer or gavel
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavel

William John Kelly, Huntley Bungalows, Edenderry, Banbridge, admitted not having a licence or insurance on February 20 this year.

For each offence he was fined £250, banned from driving for 12 months and sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

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The court heard he was spoken to by police on the Seapatrick Road, Banbridge, and admitted he was driving without having a licence or insurance.

A solicitor representing the defendant said Kelly had four similar offences in the 1980s, one in 1990 and the last was five years ago.

He added that his client would say he only got this vehicle the day before he was stopped and had intended to get a licence and insurance. Police seized the vehicle.

The solicitor handed in testimonials on behalf of the defendant to the court, adding that there may be an offer of employment for Kelly who was a mechanic.

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District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said the defendant should realise that he had been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

He added that it was a serious offence and it appeared Kelly had been driving for years without a licence.

He had 41 offences on his record, mostly for road traffic matters.

Judge Copeland warned Kelly that if got behind the wheel of a car without a licence and drove while disqualified he would be going to prison.

Related topics:BanbridgePolice