A motorist who clipped the wing mirror of a police car whilst making an illegal overtaking manoeuvre has been disqualified from driving for two years.
The 23-year-old was granted permission to drive pending appeal of the decision.
Pawel Chumurck, of High Street, Gilford was sentenced for using a vehicle without insurance, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and failing to stop for police at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Court heard the defendant had been convicted in his absence on a prior occasion due to non-appearance.
The offence took place on July 2, at around 8.30pm on the Portadown Road, Armagh.
Police observed as Chumurck struck their vehicle after overtaking a van by crossing the chevrons on the road.
It was stated that the wing mirror of the defendant’s Vauxhall Insignia struck that of the police vehicle.
Checks carried out by officers showed that Chumurck was a disqualified driver at the time of the offence.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields informed the court that the defendant did not accept the dangerous driving charge.
He said that there was CCTV and dash camera footage from the police vehicle which had not been made available to the court.
It was heard Chumurck was a Polish national who has lived in Northern Ireland for the last 12 years.
Mr Fields said the defendant had been disqualified for 10 weeks on June 1 for an in-charge offence which occurred in May.
He said Chumurck thought the ban would run from the date he committed the offence not from when he was convicted.
It was also explained that the defendant had not attended previous court sittings as he had moved to Gilford from Armagh.
Chumurck was sentenced to five months in prison suspended for two years.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
Mr Fields stated that the defendant wished to appeal the sentence.
District Judge Paul Copeland released Chumurck on his own bail of £450 and gave him permission to drive pending appeal.
