A Richhill man who “let his affairs slip” has been disqualified for six months after his driving licence was found to have expired 17 years ago.
John Elliott, of Main Street, pleaded guilty to a having defective tyre and driving without a licence or insurance at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old was stopped by police on June 3 at around 9.30am, driving a Toyota Avensis at Gough Road, Armagh.
Checks showed that there was no valid insurance on the vehicle and police inspection showed one of its tyres to be defective.
It was later found that the defendant’s licence had expired in 2001.
Court heard that Elliott had no previous convictions on his record.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny branded the incident “a foolish enterprise”, informing the court that the car had now been “declared off the road”.
He added that Elliott knew there was “a certain inevitability about today”.
In addressing why the licence had not been renewed, Mr Lunny saidt the defendant had “let his affairs slip”.
It was stated that Elliott was a full-time butcher and the loss of his licence would affect him.
The defendant was banned from driving for six months and was also handed three penalty points.
In addition to this, he was ordered to pay a fine of £475, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
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