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Twelve month ban for motorcyclist found over the limit

Court heard he was detected when he accelerated sharply after pulling out in front of a police vehicle

A man who was found to be over the legal limit whilst riding a motorcycle has been handed a 12 month disqualification.

Court heard that the 39-year-old was detected when he accelerated sharply after pulling out in front of a police vehicle.

Juris Valainis, of Union Street in Lurgan, had a plea of guilty entered on his behalf to driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Wednesday.

Prosecution outlined that on May 20, police on patrol of the Belfast Road, Lurgan, observed a motorcycle pull out in front of them before accelerating sharply.

Officers stopped the motorcyclist, who was identified as the defendant.

He was taken to Lurgan Custody Suite, where he provided a sample of breath which when tested gave a reading of 45mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Defence barrister David McKeown stated: “It is not the highest reading. He instructs that he simply did not see the police and it is not a case of him trying to evade them.”

Valainis was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15.

District Judge Rosie Watters certified the defendant for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.

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