A man who was caught driving his motor car with a different registration plate after it was stripped of the original ones, found himself $52,000 poorer.

Charged with fraudulent use of a registration plate, dangerous driving, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and no insurance coverage, is Michael Williams from Meadowbrook, St Andrew.

He was fined $25,000 or three months for fraudulent registration plates, $20,000 or 30 days for dangerous driving, $5,000 for unlicensed motor vehicle and $2,000 or 30 days for no insurance coverage.

The court learnt that on March 19, Williams was stopped by the police along the Spanish Town Bypass in St Catherine. It was observed that his car had on a strange looking pair of plates.

original plates

Further checks by the police, revealed Williams had driven away his motor car on March 8 after the Island Traffic Authority and the police had removed his license plate.

The investigating officer Detective Corporal Andre Smith told the court that the accused had driven away after his original plates were seized but when he was caught in the latest incident, he tried to trick the police into believing he knew nothing of it.

After being found guilty Williams told the court that he had served the New York Police Department (NYPD) for 20 years and he does not believe he committed an offence.

Presiding Resident Magistrate was Annmarie Nembhard and Clerk of Court was Floyd McNab.