A man who was observed in a car playing music whilst over four times the legal drink drive limit has been handed 10 penalty points.
Court herd that the 31-year-old apologised to police for his actions during interview.
Mindaugas Kauneckas, of Mowhan Road in Markethill, had a plea of guilty entered on his behalf to being in charge with excess alcohol at Armagh Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on March 29, police observed an Audi A4 parked in the Drumadd area of Armagh which was playing loud music.
Officers spoke to the defendant who had been inside the vehicle. It was noted that he smelled of intoxicating liquor, had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.
The keys to the car were observed in the central console and a preliminary breath test at the roadside resulted in a fail.
Kauneckas was arrested and conveyed to Lurgan Custody Suite. Whilst there an evidential sample of breath was obtained which gave a reading of 160mg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath – over four times the drink drive limit.
During interview, the defendant apologised to officers for his actions.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields told court Kauneckas was a “foreign national who has lived in the jurisdiction a number of years”.
The defendant was handed 10 penalty points and was ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
