Driver was doing 106mph with four children in car without proper child restraints

Martin Christopher Stokes (31), with an address listed as Harmin Drive, Newtownabbey, admitted speeding in a 70mph zone - the M2 motorway at Rathbeg near Antrim town - on May 27 last year.

He also admitted three charges regarding child restraints for children under 12 and a charge of using a vehicle when the number of passengers 'involved a danger of injury'.

A prosecutor told Ballymena Magistrates' Court that when police spoke to the defendant there were a number of children in the rear of the vehicle who appeared to be unrestrained.

In the back was a man and four children aged between two and twelve. An adult was in the front passenger seat.

The prosecutor said police observed there were no child or booster seats or suitable restraints and children appeared to be sharing the other seat belts between them.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "So there were seven people in a car, four of which were children not properly restrained, and he was doing 106mph".

The defendant was not present at court. A defence barrister accepted there were "aggravating features" in the case.

Judge Broderick said: "That's an understatement". The defendant had a record. The court was told he has a three year driving ban until 2028 for a driving whilst unfit offence. In relation to the incident on May 27 last year the barrister said the defendant was driving so fast because he got word a family member was "very ill" in hospital.

For the new offences the defendant was banned from driving for three years and was fined £500.