Driver ‘forgot’ insurance, MOT and plates: Slew of offences uncovered after Interceptors stop in Ballymena

Slew of offences uncovered when Nissan Micra vehicle stopped by PSNI Road Policing Interceptors in Ballymena town centre

A routine stop by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Road Policing Interceptors has uncovered a catalogue of alleged motoring offences after officers intercepted a Nissan Micra in the Ballymena area late last night (Friday 23 January).

Police say the driver appeared to be missing several of the most basic legal requirements for being behind the wheel, including valid insurance, a driving licence and a current MOT certificate.

Officers also allege the vehicle had not been paid for at a fuel station in Mallusk late last year.

In a statement shared following the stop, Road Policing Interceptors (Sprucefield) said:

“Road Policing Interceptors (Sprucefield) stopped a Nissan Micra in the Ballymena area last night. The driver seemed to have forgotten a few important things, like Insurance, driving licence, MOT and paying for his fuel from a garage in Mallusk in December.”

Further checks revealed what police believe was a deliberate attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity.

At the time of the stop — and during the alleged fuel theft in December — the car was displaying registration plates belonging to another vehicle of a similar make and model.

Officers added:

“They’d also seem to forget to put on the correct registration plates for the vehicle. At the time of the stop last night and the time of the fuel theft in December the vehicle was displaying the registration number of a vehicle of similar make and model in order to disguise its true identity.”

Police have indicated the driver will be reported in connection with multiple offences and is expected to appear before the courts.

In a closing remark, officers said:

“Let’s hope the gentleman doesn’t forget to turn up for his Court date in the near future in relation to all of the offences.”

The incident highlights the breadth of offences road policing teams routinely encounter and the ongoing focus on tackling uninsured driving, vehicle crime and fuel theft across Northern Ireland.

For many law-abiding motorists, such enforcement offers reassurance that dangerous and dishonest behaviour on the roads is being actively challenged.