A Slimming World consultant from Hamiltonsbawn who drove whilst uninsured has had eight penalty points placed on her licence.
Janice Foster, 40, of Main Street, pleaded guilty at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to driving a vehicle whilst uninsured and without an MOT.
The incident occurred on March 21 at around 5.10pm, when police checks flagged up a black BMW on the Newtownhamilton Road, Armagh, as not having an active insurance policy.
Police were unable to stop the vehicle but the next day attended the house of the last registered owner.
When they approached the address the car was parked on the driveway. They then spoke to the defendant who admitted to driving the vehicle on the day in question.
Police checks found a previous insurance policy with Liverpool Victoria had been cancelled on February 26 and the vehicle’s MOT had expired on December 31 of last year.
Court heard Foster was a Slimming World consultant and needed her car to travel to destinations across Northern Ireland.
Defence counsel stated the defendant had no previous penalty points and that would “not expect the defendant to be before the court ever again”.
She explained the offence had been down to an “oversight” on Foster’s part.
District Judge Paul Copeland commented this was a “serious offence” being on the road whilst “uninsured and in an uncertified vehicle”.
The defendant was handed eight penalty points and ordered to pay a fine of £700, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
