John Stuart Neil Pollock, 41, of Albany Drive in Carrickfergus, received a £150 fine, a £15 offender's levy, and three penalty points for driving without due care and attention.

The incident took place at 10.55am on November 16, 2024, on Moneymore Road in Cookstown.

Police responding to an emergency call activated flashing lights and sirens to overtake the van.

Officers saw Pollock holding a cup of coffee and increased the siren volume to gain his attention.

The police vehicle followed the van for three-quarters of a mile on the carriageway before Pollock moved to the hard shoulder.

Pollock told police he had been daydreaming and apologised.

District Judge Francis Rafferty commented that it must have been some daydream, given the failure to notice the sirens and lights over that distance.

A defence lawyer stated Pollock works as a delivery driver and could not hear the sirens due to van insulation. The lawyer asked for leniency, noting Pollock is a father of two and would drive more carefully going forward.