Driving practice ends with car going into front of Screwfix in Magherafelt, court told
A Draperstown man has lost his licence for a week after his car crashed into the front of Magherafelt’s Screwfix shop while a 16-year-old friend was practising driving in the car park
The owner of a car which ran into the front of the Screwfix shop in Magherafelt, has lost his licence for a week.
The court heard the Draperstown man was allowing a 16-year-old friend to practice driving in the car park of the shop, off Ballyronan Road, when the incident happened.
Ciaran Murray Williams, aged 19, of Cordarragh, was also fined a total of £350 with a £15 offender's levy for permitting no insurance and aiding and abetting a person to drive who was disqualified by age.
Imposing the penalties at Magherafelt Magistrates Court, District Judge Conor Heaney told the defendant it had been “a very regrettable decision on your part”.
Prosecuting counsel said that on April 6 at 11pm, police received a report from the defendant that his vehicle, which was being driven by a 16-year-old friend in the car park of the Screwfix shop, had gone into the shopfront.
The lawyer said the defendant apologised and said it had been a silly mistake.
A defence lawyer, who handed character references into the court, described it as “quite an usual and exceptional case”.
He said he had been allowing his friend to practice driving in his car and “unfortunately for him and her it did not go well”.
Counsel explained that the defendant’s family had put up money towards the damage.
He said the defendant is a hardworking young man who was training to be a teacher and was a talented musician and Gaelic player.
The lawyer added the defendant’s main concern was the loss of his licence.
District Judge Heaney remarked it was “rare to see references that were so glowing”.