A Markethill man has been handed a 39-month disqualification for his second drink driving offence in the past three years.
Sentencing the 29-year-old, the district judge commented: “The fact that he did the drink drive course the last time shows that he has learned nothing. He is going to carry on until he kills someone.”
Darren McDowell, of Gosford Gardens, had pleas of guilty entered on his behalf to failing to provide a preliminary breath sample and driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that at 12.40am, on July 10, police were on patrol in the Corcrain area of Portadown when their attention was drawn to a vehicle being driven by the defendant.
Officers stopped McDowell and, believing him to be under the influence, requested that he engage in a preliminary breath test.
However, the defendant refused and made an attempt to walk past officers but was then restrained and arrested.
Whilst in custody, a sample of McDowell’s blood was take for testing. Upon analysis this gave a reading of 194mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over twice the legal limit.
Defence barrister Ciara O’Neill stated: “It is accepted that he didn’t do himself any favours; there is no getting away from the fact that this was a very high reading and it is also accepted that he has a record.”
Court heard that McDowell had a similar conviction in 2018, meaning a mandatory three year ban.
Ms O’Neill added: “Thankfully he was not in an accident and no one was harmed during this incident.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented: “The fact that he did the drink drive course the last time shows that he has learned nothing. He is going to carry on until he kills someone.”
McDowell was handed a 39 month disqualification and was ordered to pay a fine of £600, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
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