Dangerous driver made off on foot after 15-mile police pursuit

A DANGEROUS driver who was pursued by police for 15 miles along narrow country roads between Plumbridge and Strabane has been banned for a year.

Tristan Kelly (20), of Blackburn Road, Strabane, was behind the wheel of a silver Volkswagen Passat that “fell below the standard required” when he sped off from the PSNI last summer.

During the ensuing pursuit, the defendant’s car was observed swerving across both carriageways and almost colliding with a jeep on Moorlough Road.

Appearing before Strabane Magistrates Court last Thursday, Kelly admitted ten charges in connection with the incident, which occurred on August 2, 2022. A further three offences were withdrawn.

The defendant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving between Main Street, Plumbridge and Curlyhill Road, Strabane, failing to stop for police, failing to display a front or rear number plate, being an unaccompanied ‘L’ driver, not displaying ‘L’ plates, using a motor vehicle without insurance, having a defective exhaust and silencer system, not being equipped with suitable suspension and obstructing a constable.

The court heard that, at 8pm, police on mobile patrol in Main Street observed a silver Passat with no registration plates on Main Street.

While trying to determine the identity of the driver, they became aware that police in Derry had dealt with the same vehicle earlier, which had failed to stop.

When challenged about the identity of the vehicle, Kelly drove off in the direction of Donemana.

As they following the defendant over the course of 15 miles, officers observed that the car was in “poor condition”.

After the pursuit ended in Curlyhill, Kelly made off on foot across fields. However, police never lost sight of him and he was subsequently detained.

During interview, he admitted giving false details and dangerous driving.

Defending solicitor, John Fahy, told the court that his client had attended court along with his mother.

The solicitor said that a “very helpful” pre-sentence report had been prepared in the case.

Mr Fahy said the defendant had issues with dyslexia and ADHD and had studied car mechanic courses, which may have triggered this very serious incident.

The solicitor stressed that his client had no issues with alcohol and had accepted responsibility, but conceded that Kelly hadn’t cooperated with police immediately.

Mr Fahy admitted that the defendant’s driving fell below the standard required and it was fortunate that there hadn’t been an accident on the narrow country roads.

He further conceded that the vehicle Kelly had been driving “fell below the standard required”.

In mitigation, the solicitor said that his client had received “great support” from his mother and both understood the gravity of the matter.

District judge, Alana McSorley, observed that the offending had been aggravated by the defendant’s attempts to avoid detection by police.

But, taking into account that Kelly had been assessed as posing a low likelihood of re-offending, had entered early guilty pleas and had no previous record, the judge imposed fines totalling £500 and a 12-month driving disqualification.