A woman who was found twice over the limit in Gosford Forest Park with the keys to her vehicle has been handed an 18 month disqualification.
Court heard that the 40-year-old had previously been handed a two year ban in December for an offence of drink driving.
Inga Jarasauskaite, of Navan Court in Armagh, pleaded guilty to being in charge with excess alcohol at the city’s Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on October 1, police were contacted by a member of the public at Gosford Forest Park in relation to a suspected drink driver.
The reporting person alleged they had seen a BMW, which had stopped in the car park, being driven erratically in the area.
Officers arrived and spoke to a female, identified as this defendant, who had the keys to the car in question on her person.
It was noted that Jarasauskaite smelled of intoxicating liquor and her speech was slurred, but she denied having driven the vehicle.
A preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail; the defendant was arrested and taken to Lurgan Custody Suite.
A subsequent evidential sample of breath was obtained giving a reading of 102mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over twice the legal limit.
Defence solicitor Oisin Toner outlined that his client has resided in the Northern Ireland for 16 years and has been driving since she was 18.
He commented: “Up until recently she has not been in any trouble with the police.”
The solicitor informed the court that Jarasauskaite had been disqualified for a period of two years back in December for an offence of drink driving.
Mr Toner stated that this matter was initially to be contested with his client claiming she had no intention to drive.
He said: “Another person, who was insured and fit to drive the car was with her; I had intended to call them to give evidence but that person is now estranged from her.”
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer commented: “I am not impressed by this, the police report is devoid of any mention of another person being present.”
Jarasauskaite was disqualified from driving for 18 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 26 weeks.
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