A MAN who took the number plates off his car while it was getting repairs and put them on another vehicle has been handed a short disqualification.

Sean McDermott (21), of Swanlinbar Road, Enniskillen, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court to face charges of having no insurance, fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark, and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

The court heard that on January 30, police on patrol in Kinawley observed a Volkwagen Golf which they followed and stopped on the Moher Road.

Checks showed the registration plate did not match the mark on the vehicle. The car was seized to allow further checks to be carried out, and enquiries showed the Vehicle Identification Number was connected to a different registration plate, and the car had been written off previously.

The car also had numerous faults, such as defective lights, was in a state of general disrepair and was also uninsured.

During an interview, McDermott admitted changing the number plate on the car.

Niall Bogue, representing McDermott, told the court his client was insured on another vehicle that was getting repairs carried out, and it was only known to the defendant the reason to change the plates.

Mr. Bogue described it as an “extremely foolish decision”.

He said McDermott had co-operated fully with police and gave full admissions during the interview, before adding that the defendant’s driving licence was essential to his work, and also as he lived in a rural area.

With six penalty points already on his licence, and the risk of a disqualification from driving due to more being added for this incident, Mr. Bogue asked the court to instead consider a short period of disqualification.

He said McDermott had made a decision that was “hard to understand”, but that he did not show a complete disregard for the law.

District Judge Steven Keown warned McDermott that this was not to happen again, before handing down a one-month driving ban and a £700 fine.