A Markethill man who collided with another vehicle after drink driving has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
The 29-year-old’s barrister told court the defendant made the “foolish decision” to drive after failing to procure a lift from his sister.
Feilim Livingstone, of Mowhan Road, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and having a defective tyre at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on July 9, at around 2.40am, police received a report that a silver van had collided with a car on West Street, Portadown, and that the male driver appeared to be drunk.
When officers arrived a witness identified the defendant as the driver of the van.
Police noted that Livingstone smelled strongly of intoxicating liquor and the keys to the vehicle were found in his pocket.
A preliminary breath test was carried out resulting in a fail and he was subsequently arrested.
Whilst in custody, an evidential sample gave a reading of 72mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Upon inspection the van was also found to have two defective front tyres.
Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, Mr Livingstone had gone to a public house to pay a mechanic for work done to the van for an upcoming MOT.
“He then had a few drinks in the pub, he had tried to organised a lift from his sister but was unsuccessful which led to him making the foolish decision to drive”.
He added: “This was an error of judgment during a tough time in his personal life, he works as a car spray painter and will require his partner to take him to work”.
Livingstone was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
He was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months if completed.
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