A Lurgan man who knocked a motorcyclist off balance causing him to fall from his bike when entering a roundabout has been handed four penalty points.
Joseph O’Hara, of Brownlow Terrace, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The court heard the incident happened on February 19 at around 11.30am, when the 51-year-old defendant drove into the back of a Yamaha scooter on Roundabout 5, Parkmore, Craigavon.
The injured party said the defendant entered the roundabout without looking to his right.
Court heard how the front passenger side of O’Hara’s Vauxhall Zafira struck the rear of the scooter.
This caused the rider to be knocked off balance and fall.
The rider was taken to hospital as a precaution, but no injuries were reported.
O’Hara was taken to Lurgan Custody Suite where he made full admissions and described the incident as a “momentary lapse in concentration”.
Defence solicitor Pat Vernon explained that the defendant’s view had been hampered by the window pillar of his car which had created a “blind spot”.
He added that O’Hara’s vehicle had “clipped the number plate of the scooter, causing the rider to lose his balance”.
It was heard that the defendant had a record but had not offended since 2005.
O’Hara was handed four penalty points and was ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
