A policeman who caused a multi-vehicle crash after falling asleep at the wheel has been handed a six month driving ban.
The 38-year-old was not present at court where he was convicted in his absence.
Paul Conlon, whose address was given as Banbridge PSNI, was charged with driving without due care and attention at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Outlining the details, the prosecution stated that on July 11, at around 6.45am, the defendant had been driving on Avenue Road, near Lurgan Park, when he swerved a police car on to the wrong side of the road.
The vehicle collided with the two cars which had been travelling in the opposite direction at the time.
The first vehicle involved was written off due to the collision
Prosecution added the woman travelling in that car received a grazed hand with the driver and passenger in the second vehicle suffering whiplash.
When interviewed, Conlon accepted that he must have momentarily fallen asleep, having worked a 12-hour shift, while admitting he had been feeling tired earlier in the day.
However, during that interview he said he had felt he was getting a second wind, but accepted he must have fallen asleep and swerved onto the wrong side of the road.
He also stated that he had seen the doctor to evaluate any other reason but he was declared medically fit.
Conlon was disqualified for six months and ordered to pay a fine of £75, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
