Man jailed for five months for a series of driving charges

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrates Court on a series of driving charges.

Shane McDermott, 37, of Coshquin Road in Derry, was charged with, on June 29, 2021, driving without insurance and causing damage to another vehicle. 

The court heard how a driver had parked at Crescent Link and had returned to his car to find it scrapped. 

A witness told the driver that a BMW car registered to McDermott had caused the damage before making off. 

The incident caused £1500 worth of damage to the other car and police later discovered that McDermott was driving while disqualified.

The defendant agreed to take part in a voluntary interview but then police could not contact him. 

When he was eventually arrested he told police he was unaware of the accident. 

Defence Barrister Sinead Rogan told the court that McDermott had since admitted to not having a driving licence. 

She said he appeared to have adopted a 'head in the sand mentality' towards the incident. 

District Judge Barney McElhom said that he had previously been in for sentencing in May this year and that he hadn't co-operated with probation.

He said the defendant had shown 'complete contempt' an sentenced him to five months in prison, a £300 fine and two year disqualification.