Woman drove car in 'dangerous condition'

Ashley Parke (25) appeared before North Antrim Magistrates’ Court last Friday charged with having no insurance, failing to produce a vehicle registration book, having no MOT test certification, driving her car in a dangerous condition and failing to wear a seat belt.

Court heard that Parke was stopped by police at the Ring Road in Coleraine on October 14 last year when she was observed driving with no seatbelt.

It transpired that her insurance had expired, the car had failed its MOT test in May and the tax had expired.

At the time, the defendant argued that she was actually wearing her seatbelt but it had been under her arm.

Parke’s solicitor told the court that Parke hadn’t intended to drive the car, as it had failed an MOT test in May, with two faults.

He said Parke had noticed her ex boyfriend in the area and to minimize the risk of bumping into him had driven to the shop. He said she accepted that she had been wearing her seat belt incorrectly.

District Judge Richard handed out a series of fines totalling 500 and banned Parke from driving for six months.