A motorist from Lisburn has been fined and disqualified after colliding with an electric box and an LED sign while suffering a coughing fit.

Mark Connery (59), of Rathvarna Gardens, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with driving without due care and attention, failing to stop, and failing to report the accident. The incident occurred on Railway Street on 28 February 2026.

Police received a report of the collision, and when they contacted Connery, he said he had returned to the scene. The court was told he lost control of the vehicle during a coughing fit and did not immediately realise the extent of the damage.

District Judge Rosie Watters fined him £150 for careless driving and disqualified him from driving for three months. She imposed a further £50 fine for each of the other two charges, plus a £15 offender levy.