Disqualified HGV driver sentenced

A HGV driver who was found to be disqualified during a routine stop-check on the A55 on Anglesey has been sentenced.

33-year-old Thomas Gallagher of Glenmacha, Armagh, Northern Ireland appeared before Caernarfon Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday, 25^th May) and pleaded guilty to driving offence charges.

He was charged after being stopped by the Roads Policing Unit’s Commercial Vehicle Unit shortly after 11pm on Thursday April 15^th at the Dalar Hir weighbridge.

Gallagher, who was driving a red Scania HGV, produced a false driving licence, and following checks he was correctly identified and showed he was a disqualified driver.

Upon further checks Gallagher could not produce a tachograph record or a driver card for the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) Traffic Examiner to inspect.

He was then arrested and taken to Caernarfon custody to be questioned.

Gallagher was later charged, and yesterday he appeared before Caernarfon Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, using a false instrument, fail to use a tachograph and driving without insurance.

He was sentenced to:

• 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months
• Disqualified from driving for 27 months
• Pay fines totalling £886
• Pay £85 in CPS costs
• Pay a victim surcharge of £128
• Carry out 240 hrs of unpaid work within the next 12 months

PC Eifion Jones of the Commercial Vehicle Unit said: “Gallagher knew full well that he should not have been driving. He was also arrogant enough to produce a false driving licence so he clearly did not think the disqualification applied to him.

“Unlicensed and uninsured drivers pose a significant danger to other road users. Statistically, uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in a serious collision, flee the scene of a collision and be criminally active. The impacts of such driving and actions can be utterly devastating for the lawful driver. 

“Targeting uninsured drivers is a vital part of our work to keep everyone safe on the roads of north Wales. The number of people who think it is acceptable to drive illegally is shocking and we will continue to step up our enforcement against drivers who commit offences. Breaking the rules of the road creates risk and this sentence shows there are clear consequences for those that do.

“We want the public to be reassured that we will continue to work closely with our partners to bring offenders to justice. I hope this sentence serves as a reminder to others that the law is there for a reason and should be abided by."