Man banned from roads after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified

Stock image of front revolving door at Belfast's Laganside Courts
-Credit: (Image: Belfast Live)


The sentencing of a man who pleaded guilty to multiple charges following the theft of a motorbike in Belfast has been branded 'laughable' as he is disqualified from driving after already having a ban in place.

Jordan Carson, 23, was convicted of a number of charges at Belfast Laganside Court on September 18, 2024, which included dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving when unfit through drink or drugs and aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle after a motorbike was stolen from a Belfast City Centre student accommodation block on June 14, 2024.

Following this Carson was sentenced to two years probation and a three year driving disqualification order.

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Roy Dransfield, who's motorbike was stolen and damaged by Carson, has told Belfast Live that he is shocked by the sentence that he received and said that it was "laughable" that someone who was already banned from driving would receive a driving disqualification order as a punishment.

He said: "I feel that the courts did not take the case seriously enough and I find it laughable that the punishment someone has received for driving while disqualified is just another disqualification order.

"The theft and damage to my bike has left me £700 out of pocket and with no transport to get to work, but this person is able to get off with what feels like a slap on the wrist.

"I just hope that by speaking out about this that the courts will take offences of this nature more seriously."

Roy has also highlighted issues he has had with trying to get compensation to the criminal damage caused to his vehicle, however this has been rejected as he does not meet the eligible critera, which says the damage must be caused by; unlawfully, maliciously or wantonly by an unlawful assembly of three or more people or maliciously by a person acting in connection with an unlawful association like an act of terrorism.

Roy continued: "There seem to be clear issues with the criminal damage compensation scheme here in Northern Ireland because it can only be issued if the damage was caused by three or more people or paramilitaries.

"If you have your property attacked or criminally damaged by one or two people then it seems like you just have to deal with the issue yourself and take the hit financially.

"I have now literally been made to pay for this man's actions."

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