Took his 10-year-old brother to buy sweets

When police saw a 21-year-old man driving in Gilford they knew he was disqualified, Banbridge Magistrates Court heard last Thursday.

Christopher Potts, Kernan Road, Gilford, was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for three years and banned for two years for driving while disqualified on February 1 this year.

Another five month suspended sentence and five year ban were imposed for not having insurance and he was fined £75, with a £15 offender’s levy, for not having a vehicle test certificate.

The court heard that at 5.28pm police saw Potts driving at Kernan Road. They arrested him and he made a full admission.

A solicitor said Potts had taken his ten-year-old brother to the shops to buy sweets. It was a short journey.

District Judge Eamonn King noted that Potts had received a nine month suspended sentence on November 30 last year. He said he would leave that matter for the Crown Court to deal with.