DNA of fingerprint on car steering wheel linked Coalisland man to crash, court told
The DNA of a fingerprint found on the steering wheel of a car linked a Coalisland man to a collision in the town almost a year ago, a court has heard.
Paul Joseph Hughes, aged 30, from Gortgonis Terrace, was given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, fined £300 and banned from driving for five years on charges of aggravated taking of a vehicle causing damage, having no insurance, driving with excess alcohol, and having no licence.
Prosecuting counsel told Dungannon Magistrates Court that on December 21 last year, police received a report of a road traffic collision at Mourne Avenue in which a car collided with a fence.
The lawyer said two males, including the defendant, were in the vehicle which was taken from a local man without his consent and neither had insurance or a licence.
He said the defendant later provided an evidential breath specimen which showed an alcohol reading of 71 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
He added it was established that Hughes was the driver and this was confirmed by DNA of a fingerprint on the steering wheel.
A defence lawyer pointed out that the defendant has a relevant record.
He said it was about one year since the incident and the defendant has been working through a Community Service order and has been off drink.
Imposing the penalities, District Judge Francis Rafferty said the defendant has 39 previous convictions.
He told him to continue to engage with the Probation Service authorities.