A man who was caught by police travelling at 90mph on the M1 did not hold a licence, a court has heard.
The 44-year-old’s legal representative stated his client, who had been disqualified back in 2016, only became aware he had to resit his test when a provisional licence arrived after he had reapplied to the DVA.
David Griffin McCullagh, of Station Road in Moira, pleaded guilty to excess speed and no driving licence at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on March 7, police on the M1, between junctions for Lisburn and Moira, were passed at speed by a gold Lexus.
Officers followed behind keeping a steady distance for one mile and estimated the car’s speed at 90mph.
They stopped and spoke to the driver, who identified himself as the defendant. He accepted a fixed penalty for the offence but was unable to produce his licence.
Defence council stated: “He was in a hurry. He had previously been disqualified and lost his licence but had not renewed it.
“He did not realise he had to reapplt. This man is from Scotland. He tells me he has 10 children ranging from 10 to 25 with some of them living at home.”
He added: “He was disqualified back in 2016, when he reapplied and a provisional licence came to him. It was only then that he realised he had to redo his test.”
District Judge Amanda Brady commented: “It was a high speed but it was on the motorway.”
McCullagh was handed three penalty points and was ordered to pay a fine of £175, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 15 weeks.
