A 20-YEAR-OLD man caught speeding in Enniskillen claimed that his accelerator was sticking when he was stopped by police, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Matthew Nolan, of Tattenabuddagh Lane, Fivemiletown, pleaded guilty to driving at excess speed in a 30mph limit on December 16, 2017.

The court heard that police detected the defendant driving a Citroen Berlingo van at 48mph along the Wellington Road – a total of 18mph over the speed limit.

After he was stopped and cautioned with the offence, Nolan told officers that the vehicle’s accelerator pedal had been sticking and it was “not his fault”.

Police subsequently examined the vehicle and no defect was found, a prosecutor told the court.

The defendant had seven live penalty points on his licence, the court heard.

Nolan’s solicitor, Tommy Owens, told the court that his client had got the van’s throttle repaired and handed in a receipt as evidence.

Mr. Owens urged the judge to give the defendant “maximum credit” for his early guilty plea.

District judge, Michael Ranaghan, observed that, in the circumstances, he would fine the defendant £100, impose a £15 offender levy and endorse his driving licence with a further three penalty points.