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Motorist deliberately drove at another man after disagreement over a laptop

Told police if faced with the same situation he would act exactly the same

Craigavon-Courthouse

A Portadown man who drove at another male after a disagreement over a laptop has been handed a 12-month driving ban.

Court heard the 26-year-old told police this was out of self-defence and that if put in the same position he would act the same.

Chris Deering, of Seagoe Gardens, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Court was heard that on February 27, at 5.50pm, police were called to an incident at Huntingdale Lodge, Portadown.

The injured party claimed the defendant had deliberately driven at him after a disagreement about a laptop.

Deering was interviewed the next day, when he admitted driving the vehicle.

He said he had been two car lengths away from the injured party and panicked after a third party had hit his window.

The defendant, in a later interview, claimed he had acted in self-defence and panicked when his window was hit.

He also told police that if faced with the same situation he would act exactly the same.

District Judge Bernie Kelly told Deering: “There is no such thing as self-defence when you are in a motor car.

“And the fact that you say you would act the same is a cause for concern.”

Defence solicitor John McAtamney stated the defendant no longer thought this way adding that he came before the court with a clear record.

Deering was handed a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within eight weeks.

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