A man who “foolishly” offered his friend a lift home was caught driving in Tandragee twice the legal limit by police.
The 27-year-old’s solicitor told court his client, who is a van driver by occupation, had been demoted to a store manager as a result of this offence.
Andrew John Boyce, of Primrose Hill, Gilford pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on February 2, at 2.20am, police conducting a vehicle checkpoint on the Madden Road, Tandragee, stopped the defendant driving a Honda.
After noting that his eyes were glazed and he smelled of alcohol, officers opted to conduct a preliminary breath test which resulted in a fail.
Boyce was subsequently arrested and conveyed to Dungannon Custody Suite. Whilst there an evidential sample of the defendant’s breath was obtained giving a reading of 70 mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Defence solicitor Richard Monteith stated: “This was a routine checkpoint. He co-operated fully with police and was brought to Dungannon as the closer stations were closed.
“This was a plea at the first opportunity. His occupation is a van driver and he has been demoted to a store manager as a consequence of this.”
He added: “Foolishly, after drinking with a friend, he offered him a lift home from his own home.”
Boyce was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 10 weeks.
The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.
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