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Newtown man who misunderstood police caution finds himself in court

Defence said his client 'was cautioned at the roadside and thought that was the end of it'

A Newtownhamilton man has been handed the equivalent of a fixed penalty at court after claiming he had misunderstood a police caution.

The 46-year-old’s barrister said the defendant “was cautioned at the roadside and thought that was the end of it”.

John McVerry, of Cluster Road, pleaded guilty to excess speed at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Court heard the defendant was caught by police driving at 47mph on the Mowhan Road, Markethill – a 30mph zone.

McVerry was subsequently stopped and cautioned.

Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare said the fixed penalty had not been taken by the defendant due to a misunderstanding.

Mr O’Hare stated: “Mr McVerry was cautioned at the roadside and thought that was the end of it.”

He added that this was “out of character” for the defendant.

District Judge Paul Copeland chose to impose the same penalties as were initially offered to McVerry.

The defendant was handed three penalty points and ordered to pay a fine of £60, along with the offender’s levy of £15.

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