A woman who was caught driving a car twice with no insurance or driving licence in the space of one month has been found guilty of a series of driving offences at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday.

Amy Purcell, of Ferney Rise, Enniskillen was detected by police on July 28, 2016 and August 25, 2016 to which she was found guilty of using a motor vehicle without insurance, having no driving licence possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely herbal cannabis.

The 22 year old was also found guilty of falsely declaring that she held a provisional licence and that she was disqualified from driving

The court heard on July 28, on the Derrylin Road police carrying out a checkpoint noticed a Citreon car stop a short distance from their location. When they approached the car and spoke to the driver who was identified as the defendant they observed that the front near side tyre was defective.

Purcell was also only able to provide a provisional driving licence. Officers ordered Purcell to provide an insurance certificate to be produced. The defendant produced the certificate on August 17 however it stipulated that the insured party must hold a driving licence.

On August 25, police observed the defendant driving on the Conrnagrade Road towards the Irvinestown Road. When they stopped the car there was a smell of cannabis. Purcell’s partner and new born child were also present in the vehicle. A joint was found in the vehicle which the defendant admitted belonged to her. She was also driving without a driving licence or insurance.

Purcell’s defence barrister asked the court to weigh up the close proximity of the incidents with the length of time it had taken for it to be dealt with, however District Judge Paul Copeland pointed out that it was due to Purcell not turning up to her original hearing that this had happened.

Purcell’s barrister said her client had kept out of trouble and was regretful of her behaviour and readily admitted her guilt at interview, she had no excuses and was accepting of her crimes.

Judge Copeland fined Purcell £325 and disqualified her from driving for 12 months.