A Tandragee man was handed an absolute discharge despite causing a two-car collision, a court has heard.
The 60-year-old of Knockview Drive, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday charged with driving without due care and attention.
The incident took place at 9.40am on the corner of Market Street and Market Street Court, Tandragee, on July 29, last year.
The defendant claimed that the injured party attempted to take him over as he tried to pull out of a layby.
However, witnesses supported the claimant’s story; that the defendant had been parked in the layby and pull out suddenly.
Defence counsel told the court that the defendant was a 60-year-old man with an “unblemished record”.
Adding that this was extremely impressive considering the defendant had been driving since he was 18.
Court heard that the event had exacerbated chest pains which the defendant’s wife had previously suffered from.
District Judge Paul Copeland described the crash as a “minor incident” caused by an “error of judgement”.
He added that due to his “exemplary record” and “early plea”, the Tandragee man was given an absolute discharge.
Judge Copeland warned the defendant that he was “very lucky”, as he could have received three penalty points on his licence.
