A Lurgan man who left the road and struck a traffic sign has been disqualified for 12 months after he was found to be over twice the legal drink drive limit.
The 40-year-old, who represented himself, apologised for the offence and it would never happen again.
Marcin Regula, of Woodville Street, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on November 11, at 8.30pm, police received a report of a one vehicle collision on the Lake Road, Craigavon, at roundabout 1.
Officers arrived to find the defendant’s vehicle which had left the road and collided with a traffic sign.
They spoke to Regula who told them he had been drinking. Police noted the defendant smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.
Regula told the officers that he had driven after having an argument with his girlfriend.
A preliminary breath test was carried out which resulted in a fail. A second evidential test was carried out in custody which gave a reading of 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Speaking in court, the defendant said: “I apologise for everything. I plead guilty. I will never do it again.”
Regula was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
He was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.
