At least horse was sober,court is told

Mark Daniel Ward, Drumellan Gardens, Portadown, admitted driving a vehicle drawn by a horse on a public road while he was under the influence of drink.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that on July 7 this year at 6.40pm police saw a horse drawn carriage in Bridge Street going towards the town centre. There were two people on board.

Police noticed that Ward had a tin of cider in his hand and he was leaning against the other person.

He was signalled to stop and he had a bag containing more tins of cider at his feet. A breath test gave a reading of 58.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said the difference in this case was that the horse could make reactions for itself.

The defendant’s solicitor said at least the horse was sober.

Judge Bates said it was a case which harked back to former times.