Drove dangerously to evade police

A COALISLAND man with an “appalling” criminal record, overtook two lorries on a blind bend and went the wrong way around a roundabout in a bid to get away from police.

Glen Anthony Morgan (44) who now resides at Main Street, Toome, Co Derry was convicted of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance and failing to stop for police when he appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court. Sentencing was deferred for six months and an interim driving disqualification was imposed. District Judge Michael Ranaghan told Morgan he will be disqualified from driving for six years.

The court was told that on May 5 last year, police officers observed the defendant get into the driver’s seat of a Honda Civic on the Moor Road near Coalisland and drive off. He accelerated at speed and passed two lorries on a blind bend and went round a roundabout the wrong way.

Defence barrister Blaine Nugent asked the court for credit for his client for admitting the offences.

He also acknowledged that Morgan’s record “does him no credit whatsoever”.

Judge Ranaghan described the defendant’s record as “appalling”. He said to Morgan, “The driving was clearly dangerous and put other road users and yourself at risk. I will take into account the family dynamics and defer sentencing for six months. If you breach probation during the deferral time you will go to jail for six months. There is an interim driving disqualification. You will be disqualified for six years.”

Morgan will return to court for sentencing on September 23.