A man who drove off after crashing his company pick-up into another car has been disqualified for 12 months.
Commenting on the offence which occurred over a year ago, the 27-year-old’s legal representative said: “If there were a book on how not to deal with police, courts, the lot, he could write it”.
Martin Kerr, from Downpatrick, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention, using a vehicle without insurance and failing to stop, remain or report an accident at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that on November 3, last year, at around 8.30am, the injured party noticed some damage to their vehicle which had been parked near their work at the Seagoe Industrial Estate.
A witness claimed they had seen a pick-up truck with a vehicle attached reverse into the injured party’s vehicle.
This was all caught on CCTV with the plate of the pick-up being ascertained.
Checks led police to a company which confirmed that the defendant had been driving the pick-up on the day in question.
After speaking to police Kerr agreed to come to a voluntary interview but he never attended.
Defence counsel stated: “Mr Kerr has learnt a lesson in life – if there were a book on how not to deal with police, courts, the lot, he could write it.”
He added: “On this day he had been asked to drive a vehicle he had never driven before and was unable to complete a tight manoeuvre.”
Court heard the defendant had since been let go from his job and found new employment as a chef.
Defence counsel commented: “This could very easily have been dealt with, but Mr Kerr has been left in this mess.”
It was heard that the defendant had been in custody since Friday after failing to appear at court on numerous occasions.
Kerr was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay a fine of £825, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
