A FORMER Tory election candidate in Co Tyrone has been fined for speeding on the A5.
Roger Lomas (58) was caught driving at 60mph in a 50mph zone along the road in April.
The former Westminister and Stormont assembly candidate for West Tyrone was offered a fixed penalty but requested that the matter be brought to court.
Representing himself at Dungannon Magistrates Court last week, Lomas said he sped up to create a safer distance with the vehicle behind him.
He said the turn to his home was close to a nearby petrol station, and he did not indicate sooner to avoid confusing motorists.
Lomas, of Omagh Road, told the court he "speeded with the purpose of generating a safe distance" with the vehicle behind him before indicating, the Tyrone Courier reported.
He handed in measurements of the distance from his road to the petrol station.
Not responding directly to his arguments, District Judge John Meehan gave Lomas a £100 fine, a £15 offender levy and three penalty points.
In last year's assembly election, Lomas received 27 first-preference votes – the fewest of the 15 candidates in West Tyrone.