A Portadown woman who thought providing a breath sample to police after being suspected of drink driving wasn’t a “big deal” has been handed an 18 month disqualification.
Sentencing the 20-year-old, the deputy district judge commented: “I have to presume that it was a very high reading. She is the author of her own misfortune.”
Ellie Loughran, of Beechcote Avenue, had a plea of guilty entered on her behalf to failing to provide a specimen of breath at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on April 18, at 4.21am, police received a report that the defendant had left to go home in her car after drinking at a friend’s house.
Officers arrived at her address to find the car parked outside and Loughran in bed.
A preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail, however, the defendant then refused to provide an evidential sample for testing.
Defence solicitor Philip Reid stated: “It is quite unfortunate that she did not have legal advice. She felt under pressure and did not realise the breath sample was such a ‘big deal’, as she put it.”
Upon reading the papers, Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes revealed that Loughran had made certain admissions and had told officers: “Yeah, I was drunk a little bit, so what?”
He commented: “I have to presume that it was a very high reading. She is the author of her own misfortune.”
Loughran was disqualified from driving for a period of 18 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see her ban reduced by one quarter upon completion.
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