East Tyrone Magistrates' Court heard how Eamon Maughan, 22, from Washingbay Road, was stopped by police in Lisnashee Court in September 2007 for not wearing a seatbelt. It turned out that he had been disqualified from driving for nine months just two months previously and subsequently admitted to taking the vehicle from his father without permission.
In November 2007, Maughan left the jurisdiction and a bench warrant was made for his arrest. His solicitor told the court that his client had gone to England when he temporarily split up with his wife and due to an ongoing feud with another family.
He returned to N. Ireland in June 2008 but was not arrested by police until January 29 this year.
District Judge John Meehan handed down fines totalling £340, disqualified him from driving for two years and gave him five months imprisonment.
He said, "The police had to track you down and arrest you after a year and a half at large. Under the new stringent legislation only a custodial sentence is appropriate."