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Newry drink driver who turned to avoid police was later located in nearby retail park

Defence said his client came before the court with a 'clear unblemished driving record'

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A Newry man who was caught by police over twice the legal limit after avoiding a vehicle checkpoint has been handed a 12 month disqualification.

The 36–year-old’s legal representative told court: “He comes before the court with a clear unblemished driving record and criminal record. He is in full-time employment. The loss of his licence will have an impact.”

David Hollywood, of Crieve Road, had a plea of guilty entered on his behalf to driving with excess alcohol at the city’s Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecution outlined that on June 12, at 2.45am, police conducting a vehicle checkpoint in the Newry area observed a Honda Civic turn to avoid them.

Officers later located the car at the Damolly Retail Park and spoke to the driver, who was identified as the defendant.

A preliminary breath test at the roadside resulted in a fail, with a subsequent evidential sample obtained in custody giving a reading of 81mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Defence counsel stated: “He comes before the court with a clear unblemished driving record and criminal record. He is in full-time employment. The loss of his licence will have an impact.

“There are no aggravating features in this case and I ask that he is given credit for his early plea.”

District Judge Eamonn King disqualified Hollywood from driving for 12 months and ordered that he pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within four weeks.

The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.

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