Banbridge motorcyclist disqualified after using false registration plate

CHRISTOPHER McCrory was disqualified from driving for five months and fined after admitting a series of offences involving a motorcycle on Newry Road.

McCrory, 22, of Cline Road, Banbridge, appeared before District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons at Banbridge Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse, on November 5.

The court heard that on April 22, 2026, police approached McCrory after he had parked a Suzuki motorcycle outside a shop on Newry Road and gone inside.

He admitted driving and owning the motorcycle but told officers he held only a provisional licence. Police also detected the smell of cannabis and found a small quantity of the drug on him.

The court heard that McCrory had attached a different registration plate to the motorcycle for the journey.

Defence counsel said McCrory had made full admissions and had been attempting to avoid detection by using the false plate. The motorcycle was one he had been working on as part of efforts to earn extra money by repairing bikes.

The court was told he had been using cannabis to self-medicate for mental health difficulties and said he had not been smoking at the time, explaining that it had been in a jacket he put on.

Counsel said McCrory worked full-time at Moy Park in Portadown, earned around £400 a week and had two children from previous relationships. He was remorseful and had shown maturity by making full admissions.

Judge Fitzsimons disqualified McCrory from driving for five months. He was fined £100 for the drug offence, with a destruction order made for the cannabis, and fined a further £400 and £50 in relation to the other offences. He was also ordered to pay a £15 offender levy.