An intoxicated Portadown man who walked out of an off-licence and drove home has been told he’s fortunate his disqualification was not in excess of two years.
Robert Edward Taylor, of Selshion Parade, who appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, was also handed a £375 fine for driving when unfit, having no driving licence, no insurance, being an unaccompanied L driver and failing to display L plates.
The 55-year-old was reported to police on May 15.
At approximately 9.45pm, police received a report from a woman that she had just observed a male staggering out of on off-licence on the Loughgall Road.
He then got into his vehicle and drove off out of the car park and along the Loughgall Road. The woman gave the registration number to police.
At 11.50pm, police attended Taylor’s home address and observed the vehicle parked outside.
Taylor came to the front door for police who “observed him to be under the influence of alcohol”.
He was then arrested and made no reply to caution.
He was then brought to Banbridge custody suite, and the lower evidential reading was 98 mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath.
The following morning, during interview, Taylor stated that he’d been drinking from lunchtime that day, however, declared he did not drive his vehicle, nor did he attend the off-licence at the time of the alleged incident.
He stated that, earlier that afternoon, his neighbours went and bought him alcohol.
Police then attended the off-licence to review CCTV footage of the incident. The defendant can then be seen driving into the car park of the off -sales, getting out of the vehicle, entering the store, before leaving and driving off again.
This footage was then put again to the defendant. He also revealed then that he did not hold a UK driver’s licence, but rather just a provisional.
He was cautioned then for the offences before the court, and a few minutes later, gave full admissions.
Taylor’s defence solicitor said his client has been unemployed for years, adding that he lived in Canada for 18 years during which time he had a full driving licence.
However, he returned to this jurisdiction 12 years ago and his licence was not valid.
“He didn’t drive for a number of years,” said the solicitor. “His father passed away about a year and a half ago. His father had a car and he inherited the vehicle. He intended to learn to drive and past his test. He had taken out insurance with his girlfriend as a named driver, and she would accompany him while he learned to drive.”
He added: “The problem is that he can go for a number of months without drinking, and something triggers him, and he goes on a weekend or a week binge.
“On this particular occasion, when he was initially arrested, he denied going to the off-licence, which was about a mile from his house. He denied that because he knew he should not have been driving his car, because he has no licence, no insurance, etc.”
The court heard how Taylor no longer has the car.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “Mr Taylor, it’s very important that people know the benefit of getting legal advice in cases such as this, and what reduction that has actually brought about.
“Were it not for [your solicitor’s] intervention on your behalf, your driver disqualification for the unfit, given the combination of offences here, would have been in excess of two years.”
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