A man who arrived in Northern Ireland “in the last few weeks” was caught drink driving earlier this week.
On hearing of Maris Ramsa’s recent entry into the jurisdiction, District Judge Anne Marshall quipped: “That got off to a good start didn’t it?”
The 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, opted to represent himself on the three charges of driving with excess alcohol, no insurance and failing to stop for police when he appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court this week.
The public prosecutor told the court that on Monday, September 1, at approximately 1.55pm, police observed a Black BMW stopped on the Madden Road junction with Derryhennett Road in Armagh.
The vehicle drove off and a police pursuit ensued.
Approximately 10 minutes later, while taking a corner on the Derrynoose Road, just outside Keady, the vehicle slid and crashed into a verge.
Ramsa was apprehended and provided a preliminary breath sample of 135.
Checks with An Garda Síochána confirmed the vehicle did not have insurance.
In custody, Ramsa provided an evidential sample of 109.
The defendant told the judge that he is currently working as a mechanic earning £700 per week – but does not have a permanent address and is living between an addresses in Keady and Castleblayney.
Clerk told the court that the defendant had just arrived into the country “in the last few weeks and he’s currently on a six month visitor’s visa” which was confirmed on Tuesday morning by Immigration Services.
Judge Marshall remarked: “I’m a little bit worried about the lack of a stable address and how you’re going to pay a fine, so I’m going to tell you now, that if you don’t pay a fine and it comes back to me, I will issue a warrant for your arrest, and then you’ll go to prison.”
Ramsa was fined a total of £500 along with the £15 offender levy.
“You’re in receipt of a very healthy wage there,” said the judge, “so I’m going to give you eight weeks to pay those fines.”
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
