Retired farmer took son’s car to do message

Seventy-seven-year-old John Joseph Kennedy of Dunlogan Road, Draperstown, also received six penalty points and was ordered to pay a £15 offender levy.

Kennedy admitted charges of taking and driving a vehicle without authority, having no insurance and no licence on December 2 last.

Prosecuting counsel told the court that at 10.50am, police stopped a car on the Cahore Road, Draperstown, and spoke to the driver, the defendant.

He said it was discovered the driver was disqualified and the car was registered to his son.

The lawyer said the defendant was arrested and admitted to the police that he should not have been driving.

He added Kennedy was interviewed by police about the matter on December 17, and showed genuine remorse for his actions.

Defence solicitor Pat McGuckin stressed the defendant had made “a full and frank” admission.

Mr McGuckin said the vehicle belonged to the defendant’s son and he had taken it without permission to do a message on this occasion.

The solicitor explained the defendant had been disqualified from driving two years ago and did not resit his test.

Mr McGuckin said the defendant was presently ill and unlikely to trouble the court in the future.

He pleaded with the court to be lenient in view of the defendant’s full and frank admission at the earliest opportunity.

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