A Castlederg man, whose vehicle collided with another car in poor weather conditions, told police "I couldn't avoid it," Strabane Magistrates Court heard last week.

A prosecuter told the court that a Toyota Hilux four wheel drive vehicle being driven by the defendant, 57 year-old William McCobb, of Speerholme Castlederg, had tried to stop at a stop sign leading onto the main road at Drumlegagh but failed to do so and collided with an oncoming car on November 22 last year. When asked by police about the incident, the defendant said, "The weather and road were attrocious, I couldn't avoid it."

A defence solicitor explained that his client was progressing down a steep incline towards the junction. When he touched his brakes, the surface water on the road made the vehicle lose traction despite him approaching the junction cautiously. The solicitor informed the court that his client had been driving for 40 years with a clear record prior to this incident.

RM Mr McNally said that the defendant had accepted that the root cause of the accident was the speed he was travelling at approaching the junction. He explained that the defendant deserved major credit for having a clear record for so long, and also deserved credit for his early plea. He was given an absolute discharge on the charge against him, and had three penalty points endorsed on his licence.