A 31-year-old Omagh man has been jailed for eight months after admitting to driving a car with false number plates to Belfast International Airport while disqualified and uninsured.

Liam Chism, formerly of Maryville near Creggan outside Omagh and now with an address at Crocnacor Road near Omagh, pleaded guilty at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, to fraudulent use of a number plate, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance or MOT for a Seat Leon on 14 May.

The court heard that airport police were called to a concern for safety incident. They received information that Chism had driven to the airport using false plates and left the car in the main stay car park. Officers found him in the central search area. He had a key for the car and a car park entry ticket.

Chism had been banned from driving for two years at Omagh Magistrates' Court in July the previous year. A defence barrister said he had serious addiction issues. His record included 29 convictions in Northern Ireland and further convictions in the Republic of Ireland and England.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said the use of false plates showed premeditation and deception. The judge noted the offences were committed while Chism was subject to a suspended prison sentence. A pre-sentence report found he showed a cavalier attitude to court orders.

Chism received a two-month sentence for the new offences. The judge activated a six-month suspended sentence, making a total of eight months in custody. He was also banned from driving for two years and fined £300.