A Newtownhamilton man who nearly struck a pedestrian, causing her to jump into a hedge to avoid him, has been handed three penalty points.
The 28-year-old’s legal representative told court: “Police were conducting a checkpoint. As he approached his focus was drawn to the police and he did not observe the woman running on the side of the road.”
David Jude Gibney, of Tullyvallen Fold, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B and driving without due care or attention at Newry Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on January 26, at 12.30pm, police were conducting a vehicle checkpoint on the Dromintee Road, Killeavy.
They observed a Peugeot 508 on the road which narrowly missed a pedestrian. She had to take evasive action by jumping into a hedge to avoid the car.
Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, who was identified as the defendant, and upon doing so they noted a smell of cannabis.
Inside the car, police located a grinder which contained residue of suspected cannabis.
Defence counsel stated: “Police were conducting a checkpoint. As he approached his focus was drawn to the police and he did not observe the woman running on the side of the road.
“He has asked that I apologise for any inconvenience which was caused to this lady.”
He continued: “He does have a record, mostly around 2010. He instructs at that point he had gone off the rails.”
District Judge Eamonn King issued Gibney with three penalty points and ordered that he pay a fine of £240, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
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