A Portadown man who was out celebrating his wife’s birthday and was involved in a car crash was found to be over three times the legal drink-drive limit.
Edgaras Penkaskas, of Clounagh Park, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and without due care and attention.
Craigavon Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that on July 7 at around 8.50pm police were called to a two-vehicle collision on the Brownstown Road, Portadown.
Upon arrival, officers submitted both drivers to preliminary breath tests with the defendant failing his.
Thirty-two-year-old Penkaskas was then taken to Lurgan Custody Suite where a second test showed he had 135mgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath – over three times the legal limit.
Defence counsel stated: “This is an exceptionally high reading and we understand that this will be an aggravating feature.”
He explained that on the day in question Penkaskas had been out celebrating his wife’s birthday when he made “the ridiculous decision to get into the car”.
It was revealed the defendant had 10 years driving experience without incident and worked for a door company.
Defence counsel also informed the court that damages had been settled by Penkaskas’ insurance company.
The defendant was banned from driving for 15 months and ordered to pay a fine of £425, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
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