Cabbie loses licence after getting caught speeding for a fourth time in a short period of time

A cab driver has been banned for six-months  after being caught speeding four times in “a short period of time”. 

The court heard that 52-year-old Fergus McCartan, of Castlewellan, was detected by police driving his vehicle at 85mph at around 12.30pm, on December 6.  

The court heard that the defendant's only source of income was from driving a cab which he did as a full-time job. McCartan, pleaded guilty to excess speed at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He was travelling 25mph above the speed limit at the time he was caught.  

McCartan made no reply when he was cautioned by the police. A fixed penalty was not made available to the defendant as he already had accumulated nine penalty points on his licence from three previous speeding offences. 

It was heard that McCartan told police that he believed that the speed limit was 70 mph. Defence counsel stated: “That is a common mistake, but he was well in excess. He is a full-time self-employed taxi driver and I ask discretion is used in giving him a short ban. “Mr McCartan is the author of his own destruction and is the only source of income for the family.” 

He added: “This is a man who has been driving for many years but only in the last couple has had trouble with speeding.” Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy stated: “This is his fourth offence of speeding in a very short period of time.” As reported by the Armaghi, McCartan was handed five penalty points which meant that his licence was revoked for exceeding the 12 points maximum limit and subsequently disqualified for a period of six months.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks. 

Image: Source; Pixabay