A man who was caught drink driving has lost his licence and vehicle as he was handed a suspended prison sentence.
Court heard the 31-year-old was detected by police as he was driving the wrong way on a one-way system in Lurgan.
Mehmed Zyulkyuf, of Keelmount Mews, Portadown pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance and driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was heard that on April 20, at 11.30pm, police observed a Skoda driving the wrong way down a one-way system on Church Walk, Lurgan.
Police spoke to the driver, who identified himself as the defendant, and checks showed that he was a disqualified driver.
Officers conducted a preliminary breath test which resulted in a fail.
Zyulkyuf was conveyed to Lurgan Custody Suite where an evidential sample gave a reading of 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
During interview, the defendant claimed he did not know he was a disqualified driver but admitted to driving without insurance.
He also claimed to have been drinking four or five hours prior to being detected by police.
Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a guilty plea at the first opportunity. As for the disqualification it was a case of Mr Zyulkyuf burying his head in the sand.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “These are serious offences, especially the breach of a court order. There is only one penalty I can impose.”
Zyulkyuf was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years.
In addition, the defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and a forfeiture order was made for his vehicle.
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