Apprentice electrician involved in crash on outskirts of Draperstown was more than twice the drink-driving limit
An apprentice electrician involved in a single vehicle crash outside Draperstown, has lost his licence for 14 months at Magherafelt Magistrates Court for driving while having consumed excess alcohol.
The court heard on March 13 this year at 11.30pm, police received a report of a collision at Cloane Road and on arrival two passengers were out of the vehicle and the defendant later emerged from bushes.
Before the court was 23-year-old Jay-Lee Conway, of Glengomna Road, Draperstown, who was also fined £250 with a £15 offender's levy in relation to the incident.
Prosecuting counsel said Conway had cooperated with police and provided a roadside test which he failed.
She said he was taken into custody where he provided an evidential specimen showing an alcohol reading of 93 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
A defence lawyer explained that Conway had been at a bar in the town and could not get a lift to his home.
He pointed out that he lives about two miles from the town and decided to take the car.
He said there was a single vehicle crash which brought police to the scene.
"Fortunately no one was hurt in this,” the lawyer said.
Counsel admitted that Conway had made a “very foolish” decision and pleaded with the court to treat him as leniently as possible given his early plea and full cooperation with the police at the scene.
Imposing the penalties, District Judge Conor Heaney remarked that it was a “high reading”.