A motorist who claimed he drove into an oncoming car while travelling on the wrong side of the road because he was late for work was asked by a magistrate if he would accept that excuse if another driver killed his family in that manner.

Valdes Urbanos (34) of Courthouse Villas, Dungannon was not insured at the time of the accident on May 14 last year. He has been disqualified from driving for six months and fined £250.

The court was told Urbanos overtake a lorry as he was driving towards Ballygawley on the A4 and swerved onto the grass verge on the right side of the road in an attempt to avoid hitting an oncoming car. However he collided with car although no-one was injured in the crash.

Defence solicitor Adrienne Stewart said Urbanos, who has three children, was late for work and had 'totally misjudged the situation.' He had purchased the car the previous day and got it insured the day after the collision. The defence added, "He apologises and assures he will never be in court again."

The RM Bernie Kelly asked the defendant, "If your wife and three children were out in a car and a driver overtook and killed them in this manner would you accept the excuse he was late for work? No. There is valid excuse for that driving. That is one of the worst roads in the north for accidents."