A Portadown man who crashed his car and ended up trapped in his seat after making the “silly decision” to drink and drive has been disqualified from driving.
Bobby Jameson, of Kernan Hill Manor, pleaded guilty at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court to driving with excess alcohol in his breath.
Court heard that police were called to a single car road traffic collision on the Lurgan Road, Portadown at around 1am on April 30.
Officers arrived at the scene to find the 27-year-old defendant – the sole occupant of the vehicle – trapped in his seat as the car was wedged in a hedge.
As the police approached they noted Jameson’s speech was slurred.
Once out of the vehicle a preliminary breath test was failed by the defendant and a reading taken in custody showed him to have 78mgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.
Defence counsel explained Jameson had been staying at a friend’s house and had gone out to his car to get cigarettes.
He said the house door had locked behind him, which left him outside with nothing but his car keys.
It was at this point the defence conceded the defendant made the “silly decision” to drive his car the 10 minute journey to his home.
Court heard that the car had veered into a kerb which had deflated one of the tyres, leading to Jameson driving the vehicle into a hedge.
It was also heard that the defendant needed his licence as he was an HGV driver and had a young son in Cookstown to whom he had access three times a week.
Defence counsel stated the defendant had a clear record previous to this and asked District Judge Bernie Kelly to give credit to his early plea.
Judge Kelly imposed a 12-month driving ban and ordered Jameson to pay a fine of £250, along with the £15 offender’s levy, within eight weeks.
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