Co Armagh IT consultant, spotted driving a VW Jetta erratically all over the road, was almost four times over the drink driving limit.
An IT consultant, who was spotted driving erratically, was found to be almost four times over the drink driving limit, a court has heard.
The 37-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court.
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Ciaran Fergus Fleming, aged 37, from Drumgor Park, Craigavon pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
The court heard police were tasked following a report of a possible drink driver on May 20 this year.
A Volkswagen Jetta was described as being driven ‘all over the road’ at Lake Road, Craigavon. The court heard that at one point it was seen mounting a kerb and colliding with the grass verge.
Police attended the home of the last registered owner, the defendant, and found him in bed asleep.
"His speech was slurred, his eyes were glazed,” said the prosecutor. Fleming confirmed he was driving at the time of the incident and said the reason for the erratic driving was ‘due to alcoholism’.
A preliminary breath test was 129 micrograms of alcohol to 100 millilitres of breath. After his arrest Fleming was taken to Lurgan custody suite where his evidential breath test was 133 micrograms of alcohol to 100 millilitres of breath. The legal alcohol limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
During interview, the defendant admitted driving at that time and said he had ‘only consumed half a bottle of gin’ when he arrived home.
Fleming’s solicitor, Mr Conor Downey, said his client accepts that was “complete nonsense” and he had consumed alcohol prior to that.
Mr Downey said his client is a single man and a university graduate who works as an IT consultant. He said his client has a lot of difficulties in his life however he is seeking assistance from his GP and is registered with the Addictions Unit.
"He is seeking help,” said the solicitor, adding the defendant’s family have been very supportive.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “The problem for you, Mr Fleming, is the very, very high reading – a clear sign of very much impaired driving.”
He banned the defendant from driving for 20 months and fined him £350 plus the £15 offender levy.