Dungannon driver disqualified for having no insurance for courtesy car

A DUNGANNON man who mistakenly believed he was insured to drive a courtesy car, has been disqualified from driving.

Andrew Frizelle (36) of Northland Village was disqualified for four weeks and fined £300 when he appeared before the town’s Magistrates Court. He was detected while driving a Toyota Avensis on the Circular Road in Dungannon on August 15.

Defence barrister Blaine Nugent explained that Frizelle’s vehicle was being repaired and he was using a courtesy car. He said it was “unfortunate” for the defendant who received a one month ban for speeding a week earlier under points toting-up legislation.

Mr Nugent handed a reference into court from his client’s employer. He stated that Frizelle is a tiler and that tilers “are thin on the ground” and he needs his licence to earn a living. Mr Nugent added, “His previous conviction for driving without insurance was ten years ago. This was a mistake. He did have a policy of insurance on a van that was being repaired”.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said, “The bad point is he previously committed a similar offence. The good point is he pleaded ‘guilty.”