A car which was described as "sitting solid" on its suspension as well as having a defective tyre and light has left a 19-year-old man with penalty points and a fine.

Luke McKane, of Lettercran Road, Clare, Castlederg was spotted by police officers driving the dangerous vehicle in Irvinestown on February 8 of last year.

Officers on mobile patrol of the town observed the Peugeot 406 which McKane was driving in a car park on the Bronwhill Link Road.

When they spoke to McKane it was discovered he had passed his test a number of months before but had no R plates displayed.

As well as the problem with the suspension, there was no thread on the tyres and the headlight was defective.

Michael Fahy, the 19 year old's solicitor, told the court that his client had purchased the car in that state a week earlier and as it had passed MOT he believed it to be satisfactory.

He added that while this excuses him to a certain extent, it was McKane's responsibility to check if car was roadworthy.

Mr. Fahy said that in the year since the incident there has been nothing to report about McKane and this has been a learning curve for his client and that the car should not have been on the road.

Mr. Fahy also told the court that his client had a short driving ban as a learner driver.

District Judge Steven Keown said that any breach is concerning but when you combine them together they are a danger on the road.

McKane was convicted of using a vehicle in a dangerous condition, having no R plates displayed, having a defective tyre and defective light.

He was fined three penalty points and fined £575.