A JUDGE told Fermanagh Magistrates Court this week that “it belies belief” after hearing how a disqualified driver drove a car he had purchased only days before to Enniskillen police station.

Daniel Beattie (20), of Brien Terrace, Ballinamallard, pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle without insurance at Queen Street, Enniskillen and driving while disqualified on January 13 this year.

The court heard that, at 8.30pm, police officers at the 24-hour garage beside the PSNI station were approached by the defendant and another male, who were walking away from a blue Vauxhall Astra.

Beattie and the other male then went into the enquiry office at the police station, before returning to the car. After Beattie got into the passenger seat of the vehicle, he was spoken to by the officers.

Further enquiries revealed that the defendant was a disqualified driver. During a subsequent notebook interview, he admitted that he was the owner of the Astra and had purchased it “two or three days ago”.

Beattie further admitted that he had been driving while disqualified.

After the facts in the case had been outlined to the court, district judge Nigel Broderick observed: “Imagine driving to the police station when he was a disqualified driver. It belies belief.”

Defending counsel, Stephen Fitzpatrick, told the court that his client had purchased the car in order to refurbish it and sell it on.

He confirmed that it had since been sold on by the defendant.

The barrister conceded that Beattie had made a “very foolish” decision, but argued that it was a one-off.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that the defendant had not breached a previous driving disqualification.

District judge, Mr Broderick, observed that the defendant had a very poor record and it had been a “very foolish thing to do”.

However, taking into account his young age, the judge imposed a 60-hour community service order and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.