A man who was caught driving whilst over the limit after consuming “three beers” has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
In sentencing the 40-year-old, the district judge commented: “This is your first offence, you have pleaded guilty and this was not a very high reading.”
Karklins Gints, of Conway Park in Mullaghbawn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on October 24, at 1.50am, police on mobile patrol of Main Street, Mullaghbawn, observed a Volkswagen Golf cross the white lines on a junction.
Officers spoke to the driver, who was identified as the defendant. After detecting a smell of intoxicating liquor emanating from the vehicle a preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail.
When asked if he had been drinking, Gints told police that he had consumed three beers.
A subsequent evidential sample of breath was obtained in custody. This gave a reading of 51mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
District Judge Peter Magill commented: “This is your first offence, you have pleaded guilty and this was not a very high reading.”
The defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £100, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
Gints was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.
