A 28-year-old Antrim man has been given a one-year deferred sentence after a court was told he drove a Subaru Impreza at speeds exceeding 90mph while trying to evade police. Jed Hill, of Grainger's Mill, appeared at Antrim Magistrates' Court sitting in Ballymena, where District Judge Nigel Broderick warned him that any further offending would result in immediate custody.

The incident occurred at 2am on October 16 last year, when a police vehicle had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the Subaru. The driver failed to stop and a pursuit began, with police activating their lights and sirens.

The car travelled through the Doagh area, at times surpassing 90mph, and was fitted with a fraudulent rear number plate. During the chase, the vehicle almost hit a kerb and overtook another vehicle without signalling.

When the police car drew alongside, the driver made gestures at the officers before eventually turning into Willendale Meadows in Ballyclare and coming to a halt. A lock knife was discovered in the driver's footwell, which the defence later claimed was used for his work.

Hill faced charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, possessing a knife as an offensive weapon, using a fraudulent number plate, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

The court heard that Hill has a lengthy record of road traffic offences, including six previous convictions for driving while disqualified and 15 for driving without insurance. Judge Broderick described his driving as disgraceful and his criminal record as atrocious.

In a separate incident in March this year, Hill was involved in a collision on the Sevenmilestraight near Antrim, where he crashed into the back of another vehicle, causing significant damage. He was found unconscious and semi-conscious at the scene, and cocaine was later discovered in the vehicle. He was discharged from hospital without injuries and subsequently sentenced to an Enhanced Combination Order including 18 months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and a three-year driving ban.

The judge noted that custodial sentences had been warranted on multiple occasions but deferred the latest sentence until June 2027, on the condition that Hill commits no further offences and complies with an existing Probation Order. Hill is currently serving a driving disqualification imposed in May.