A teenager who was arrested for driving under the influence after causing damage at a Portadown car dealer has been jailed for two months.
Caolan Cunningham, of Woodside View, Belfast, was also banned from driving for 18 months.
The 19-year-old appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with failing to provide a specimen, using a vehicle without insurance, driving without a licence, obstructing police, two counts of driving with a defective tyre and having a defective light.
The court heard that on May 27 last year, police were tasked to a car dealership in Portadown. A vehicle in the forecourt had been damaged by another vehicle, which had made off.
The damage came to around £1,000.
A short time later, a vehicle was stopped on Mill Avenue and Cunningham was ascertained to be the driver. It was noted there was damage to the two off-side alloy wheels and the rear near-side brake light.
Police noted the vehicle was being driven “practically on its rims”.
Police observed what they believed to be drugs in the vehicle and a preliminary breath test was carried out as he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.
The defendant claimed he had purchased the vehicle the week prior and was covered with trader’s insurance, which was unable to be proven.
He was then arrested and when asked for an evidential sample of blood, told the doctor he would “stick the needle in his f***ing neck”.
The owner of the vehicle later stated and he had not given Cunningham permission to drive it.
A defence lawyer then asked the judge for credit for Cunningham accepting his involvement and pleading guilty, noting that he has “kept his head down in Maghaberry”.
He also said it was “difficult” for him to argue against the judge imposing a looming suspended sentence, which the judge ultimately decided not to impose.
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