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.
