District judge expresses concern after hearing Maghera man was more than three times drink-driving limit
A district judge has expressed concern that a Maghera motorist was more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.
Judge Conor Heaney adjourned the case at Magherafelt Magistrates Court to June 3 for a short pre-sentence report.
He told 36-year-old James Fullerton, of Halfgayne Road, Maghera, that the report would give the court “a better sight of the case”.
Fullerton admitted driving while having consumed excess alcohol, and driving without insurance on March 22.
The court heard at approximately 3.30 pm, police received a report of a male driving a vehicle which was “swerving over the road nearly hitting other vehicles” at Main Street and Tirkane Road in Maghera.
Prosecuting counsel said the vehicle stopped outside a chip shop and the defendant was observed getting out and staggering into the premises.
The lawyer said Fullerton was later apprehended by police and officers noticed a smell of intoxicating liquor from him and that his speech was slurred.
He said he was arrested and taken to Dungannon custody suite where he provided an evidential specimen which showed an alcohol reading of 124 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
Counsel said he was interviewed the following day and admitted drinking vodka at a bar before driving home. The lawyer said Fullerton denied he was not insured.
A defence lawyer explained the defendant, who has no record, was going through a very difficult period in his life at the time following a relationship breakdown.
He added that he fully believed himself to be insured.
Judge Heaney imposed an interim driving disqualification.