Young driver loses licence for 12 months

Construction worker Joseph Duggan (19), of Clarkes Court, Gulladuff, was also fined a total of £1,100 with a £15 offender levy at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He admitted driving without insurance and failing to display ‘R’ plates on dates in July, October and November last year.

A defence lawyer described the defendant as a young man who has a keen interest in cars. He said Duggan had started out with valid insurance and after purchasing a new vehicle had tried to change his insurance details on his mobile phone.

The lawyer said this did not go through on time and resulted in him not being covered although he did not realise this. The offences occurred within six months of him passing his test and getting back on the road “will be very costly” for him as his insurance will sky rocket.