Asleep in car in middle of road

Mark Gracey, Carnreagh, Craigavon, was banned from driving for 12 months last Wednesday at the local magistrates’ court for an excess alcohol offence.

He was also fined £250 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

If he completes a course for drink driving the ban would be reduced to nine months.

The court heard that on November 22 last year at 3.55am on the Dunkirk Road, Waringstown, police saw a car stopped in the middle of the road. The engine was running and the lights were on.

Gracey was asleep in the driver’s seat and the keys were in the ignition. He had his foot on the brake pedal and when he took it off the car moved forward a short distance.

The defendant failed the preliminary test and an evidential test gave a reading of 68. He had no record.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said his client had taken drink earlier on and accepted he drove from Banbridge to Waringstown.