Court tells motorist who used phone at the wheel to "get a grip"

Thursday 11 May 2023

A 23-year-old motorist who admitted driving while using a mobile phone and failing to notify authorities of a new address has been told to "get a grip of his obligations".

Appearing in the Magistrate's Court this week, Nathan Thomas Corrigan also pleaded guilty to failing to pay a parking ticket, and was fined a total of £520.

The Magistrate’s Court was told that Corrigan was seen using his phone while driving along La Route de Beaumont. St. Peter Centenier Joao Camara said he had appeared to be texting.

Corrigan had been reminded to notify the Driving and Vehicle Standards in September and again after the offence but had not done so. He admitted not doing so, and of parking without a yellow disc on 24 May last year.

Assistant Magistrate Sarah Fitz fined him £250 for using his phone while driving, £100 each for the two failures to give the DVS his new adress and £70 for the parking offence.

She decided not to endorse Corrigan’s licence. But the court also heard that he had a previous conviction for speeding, so she told him: "You really need to get a grip on your obligations as a motorist.

"If you end up back in court for a motoring offence you will be looking at an endorsement if not a disqualification."