Co Armagh factory worker found by police behind wheel after reversing into hedge, court told
A factory worker who was found by police behind the wheel of a car which reversed into a hedge, has lost his licence for 18 months at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Joackim Mutiti, aged 44, from Bocombra Hill, Portadown, was also fined a total of £400 with a £15 offender's levy for failing to provide a specimen while driving with excess alcohol, and resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty.
The court heard that on December 7 last year at 11.33am, police received a report of a suspected drink-driver on the Coagh Road, Enniskillen, who had driven in the middle of the road before reversing into a hedge.
Prosecuting counsel said police located the defenant sitting behind the wheel and he was arrested after failing to provide a roadside specimen of breath.
He said the defendant refused to get into the police car and had to be put in by force.
The lawyer added that on arrival at Dungannon custody suite, Mutiti again refused to provide a specimen.
Admitting the offences, a defence lawyer said the defendant is a father-of-four children who came to live in Northern Ireland five-and-a-half years ago.
He explained that he had “too much drink taken” and wished to apologise to the court and to the police for his behaviour on this occasion.
Mutiti worked as a driver at a concrete company so his employment could be at risk but he could be redeployed, he stressed.
The lawyer pleaded with the court to give Mutiti some credit for entering an early plea to the charges.