A motorist spotted by police ‘diffing’ around a roundabout at Magherafelt, has lost his licence for 12 months

A MOTORIST spotted by police ‘diffing’ around a roundabout at Magherafelt, has lost his licence for 12 months.

Prosecuting counsel said the defendant's car was observed ‘diffing’ before losing control and ending up facing in the wrong direction.

Twenty-three-year-old Matas Aukstuolis, of The Cloisters, Dungannon, was also fined £250 on being convicted of dangerous driving at Ballyronan Road on November 16 last.

He was also fined £50 with a £15 offender's levy for having the improper registration marks.

Bishop Street Courthouse where Magherafelt Magistrates Court is held | Google Maps

placeholder image — Bishop Street Courthouse where Magherafelt Magistrates Court is held | Google Maps

A defence solicitor told Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday the defendant accepted it was an “extremely poor case of careless driving”.

He explained Aukstuolis was with a friend who enjoys ‘diffing’ who wanted him to catch up with a Mercedes, which was on the roundabout ‘diffing’, so he could get “a good angle to film it.”

The solicitor added the Mercedes made its escape from police.

District Judge Conor Heaney said he was satisfied the defendant’s driving fell below what was expected of a competent driver.