A MOTORIST has been told he cannot drive again for more than five years after committing a series of driving offences.

Barney McGinley was told he has a ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’ when he appeared before magistrates.

The 30-year-old was also told that his incarceration was inevitable given the severity of his actions.

He was charged with failing to stop for police, failing to provide sample, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving, and he appeared to be sentenced at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 27.

He also admitted an additional two counts each of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance, as well as failing to comply with post-sentence supervision.

The court heard how the most serious offences occurred in Warrington on Saturday, January 25.

He was spotted driving a Ford Transit van on the M6 at junction 22 for Winwick and Newton-le-Willows in a dangerous manner.

He failed to stop the vehicle when required to do so by police, with officers discovering that he was disqualified from holding a driving licence at the time.

After being taken to Runcorn Custody Suite by officers, McGinley then failed ‘without reasonable excuse’ to provide a specimen of blood for a laboratory testing.

The defendant was also sentenced for two counts each of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance a van in London and Sidcup.

He also failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the supervision requirements imposed following his release from a period of imprisonment.

He did not attend an appointment, provide acceptable evidence, keep in contact with the probation service, receive visits from his supervisor and reside permanently at an approved address.

Magistrates took McGinley’s guilty please into account, however they said that the offences were ‘so serious’ that immediate imprisonment was ‘inevitable’.

This was due to the ‘nature and seriousness’ of his actions’ and his ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’.

McGinley, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 52 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £187.

In addition, magistrates disqualified him for holding or obtaining a driving licence for five years and six months and ordered that he pass an extended test of competence after this period before getting behind the wheel again.