Ballymena motorist more than three times the drink drive limit 'veered onto other side of road'

He admitted careless driving and driving with excess alcohol in breath.

James Bain, of Ballyloughan Heights in Ballymena, also resisted a police officer on December 20 last year.

The defendant had originally been charged with dangerous driving but prosecutors accepted a plea to careless driving.

Ballymena Magistrates' Court was told the defendant had no record.

The defendant had been driving an Audi car erratically at Grove Road in Ballymena around 4pm on December 20. The car veered onto the other side of the road.

A member of the public followed the defendant to an address.

The court heard that when police arrived the defendant had slurred speech and he smelt of intoxicating liquor.

He did not provide a preliminary breath test and struggled and lashed out when handcuffs were applied. He was restrained on the ground.

When taken to a police station Bain was found to have an alcohol in breath reading of 113 - the legal limit is 35.

A defence solicitor said the defendant had a "completely clear record" and had driven for 45 years "without blemish".

He accepted the alcohol reading was "very bad" said his client was "ashamed and embarrassed" to be in court.

The lawyer said alcohol had "clouded" the defendant's judgement and he had driven to a shop.

He said the defendant has been engaging with Community Addictions.

As well as the driving ban, the defendant was ordered to do 100 hours of Community Service and he was fined £200.