Defendant had Italian driving licence but no insurance in Carlow District Court
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A MEAT factory worker who admitted at the roadside that he had no insurance has avoided a driving ban after a judge said he would give him “the benefit of the doubt”.
Leonardo Sinibaldi Sales (29) Maple Road, River Court, Carlow appeared before Judge Andrew Gubbins at Carlow District Court, where his solicitor Joe Farrell entered a guilty plea on his behalf to a charge of having no insurance.
The court heard that on 9 March at 6.11pm, Mr Sinibaldi Sales was stopped on Carpenter’s Way, Carlow town and admitted at the scene that he had no insurance. He was asked to produce insurance documents but none were produced.
He has no previous convictions.
Mr Farrell told the court that his client holds an Italian driving licence and passport, though he is originally from Brazil and came to Ireland by way of Italy. He is working in a local meat factory and Mr Farrell said his client needs his licence for work.
Judge Gubbins asked: “And the gardaí have no concerns about him driving at the moment?” Insp Conor Nolan replied that they did not and said the vehicle had been seized at the time of the offence and was due to be retrieved after the court sitting.
The judge said he would “give him the benefit of the doubt today,” adding: “I note the seized car hasn’t been recovered yet. He won’t be disqualified.” Judge Gubbins convicted Mr Sinibaldi Sales and fined him €200 for having no insurance.
