A motorist yesterday contended a wheel spin was due to his sudden acceleration as he was pulling off on an uphill road.
However, the court found Devon Janari Bellingy had been stunting when he exited Lower Bank Hall, St Michael, almost two years ago.
Bellingy, of Joes River, St Joseph, had pleaded not guilty to the charge that he, on July 12, 2024, drove his vehicle in a manner that indicated an intention to cause his front tyres to lose traction with the surface of the road while turning.
He also pleaded not guilty to failing to indicate he was turning on the same date.
Constable Andre Atwell, who testified yesterday, said he was on motorcycle patrol along Lower Bank Hall Main Road when he saw a white Toyota car travelling in the direction of Abundant Life Assembly.
He said the vehicle came to a stop and then the engine began to rev. The lawman said the front tyres lost traction while the vehicle was making a left turn.
He turned on his siren, signalled the driver to stop and he complied.
Atwell said he identified himself, told the driver, who was Bellingy, of his observations and of the offence, but Bellingy did not respond.
The constable testified he further told the motorist that when turning left or right, moving off or slowing down, drivers should make the appropriate signal. He then asked Bellingy to produce identification, which he did.
When cross-examined by the motorist, the lawman said he stopped Bellingy in the area of Abundant Life. He said the offence occurred in the area of Lower Bank Hall Main Road near Mansion Road.
He maintained Bellingy moved off and made a left turn.
In his defence, Bellingy, who opted to give sworn evidence from the witness stand, said he came to a complete stop at the junction and his intention was to turn right.
He said there was an incline in the road, as well as some cut rock, and it was difficult to see oncoming traffic because of an S-bend.
“So not only do I have to come to a complete stop, but I have to roll forward in order to avoid the cut rock,” he told the court.
He explained that a vehicle to his right had halted to allow him to proceed and there was “a little bit of traffic from the left hand which prompted me to make a swift exit”.
“Due to the slight incline and the fact that I wanted to move off quickly, yes, my front tyres did make a screeching sound because of the sudden acceleration. After I made the right turn then I heard sirens.
“My tyres weren’t off the ground,” he added.
Magistrate Alison Burke later found him guilty on both counts.
She convicted, reprimanded and discharged him for failing to indicate, and fined him $600 forthwith or 30 days in jail for stunting.
Bellingy paid the fine. (HLE)
