A Portadown man who was caught drink driving after running a red light at four in the morning has been handed a 12-month ban.
Court heard that the 25-year-old had been drinking the previous day and thought himself safe to drive after falling asleep at a friend’s house.
Stephen Power, 25, of Keelmount Mews, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court heard that on December 2, at around 4am, police on patrol on Meadow Lane, Portadown, watched the defendant driving a Vauxhall Vectra.
Power went through a red light and forced the officer driving to make an emergency stop.
The defendant continued driving before mounting a nearby footpath.
Officers spoke to Power and carried out a preliminary breath test which he failed.
He was taken to Lurgan Custody where an evidential reading of 65mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath was obtained.
Defence counsel stated the defendant had been at a friend’s house the previous day drinking, had fallen asleep and when he woke up thought he was safe to drive.
Court heard that Power would find the disqualification difficult as he worked as a factory operator and had four children.
The defendant was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 10 weeks.
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