A 27-year-old factory worker from Dungannon has been disqualified from driving and fined after a collision on the Dungannon Road near Cookstown.

Hristo Dzhamov, of Belvedere Park, was convicted of dangerous driving at Dungannon Magistrates' Court.

The court heard the incident occurred on 25 October last year. Witnesses reported Dzhamov driving at high speeds on the Dungannon Road heading toward Dungannon.

He lost control of his vehicle and collided with another car, forcing it onto the grass verge and causing significant damage.

Witnesses also stated the defendant drove on the hard shoulder at excessive speed. One witness believed it was a police pursuit, and another said Dzhamov laughed after the collision.

Dzhamov was not displaying a front number plate at the time. The plate was later found in the boot of his vehicle.

District Judge Francis Rafferty described the driving as appalling and noted it was fortunate no one was seriously injured. Dzhamov was disqualified, fined £300 with a £15 offender's levy for dangerous driving, and fined a further £100 for failing to display the number plate.

His defence stated he was fully insured and had misread oncoming traffic.