A 20-year-old motorist from Beatrice Villas in Bellaghy faces an 18-month driving disqualification after admitting multiple driving offences. Kevin Paul McKeever received a probation order, 60 hours of community service and fines totalling £790 at Magherafelt court.

The charges stem from events on August 9 and October 22, 2024. McKeever pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police, lacking a driving licence and no vehicle test certificate.

On August 9 at around 10.45pm, police activated lights and sirens to stop a car leaving a filling station on Clady Road. The vehicle sped towards Clady, turned sharply right onto Old Tyanee Road, executed a handbrake turn onto Kilrea Road and reached 100mph.

Police abandoned the chase after the car flashed its lights on and off, citing risks to other road users. McKeever was arrested later and denied driving.

On October 22 at 1pm in Magherafelt, officers saw a car turn into Pound Road without signalling and strike the nearside kerb. At Castledawson Road, it hit another kerb and stopped sideways.

District Judge Conor Heaney noted that good fortune prevented serious injury or worse to McKeever or others. He warned that breaching probation would likely lead to custody.

A defence lawyer stated McKeever panicked upon seeing police, accepted full responsibility and was unemployed on benefits.