A driver caught traveling at super-excessive speed ended up in custody after being detected driving from court having been handed an interim disqualification ahead of the matter being dealt with.
Isus Angelov (23) from Glaslough Street, Monaghan was originally charged with driving dangerously, without a seatbelt and at excess speed at the M1 Dungannon on July 23.
This matter was first heard during a sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court on August 14 when it was disclosed police detected Angelov driving at 145mph which he admitted as well as driving dangerously.
However he denied not wearing a seatbelt and the case was adjourned for a time to allow this to be considered by the PPS.
In the meantime, District Judge Francis Rafferty imposed an interim disqualification given the guilty pleas to the other matters.
A short time later police were made aware that Angelov left the courthouse and immediately got into his vehicle and drove off despite the disqualification.
He was detected at Woodlough Road, Dungannon within around an hour later and arrested.
When interviewed he claimed the disqualification permitted him to drive home.
This led to him being remanded in custody until the most recent sitting to be dealt with for all matters which were accepted.
A defence barrister said Angelov accepted his speed was “super-excessive with absolutely no excuse to be offered, other than to say he didn’t believe his car was capable of that speed”.
In relation to driving from the court while disqualified, the defence assured this had been fully explained to him on the previous occasion but Angelov maintained he believed he could drive home regardless.
Judge Rafferty told him: “A speed of 145mph is an absolute disgrace.”
He imposed a sentence of seven months custody suspended for two years along with fines totalling £550.
Driving was also disqualified for two years.