Drink driver almost three times over the legal limit 'stupidly took the car' to go a short distance to shop, Dungannon court hears
A woman who “stupidly took the car” to go a short distance to a shop after drinking, has lost her licence for 16 months.
Sonata Svytoraityte, aged 26, from Killyman Road, Dungannon, was also fined £300 with a £15 offender’s levy for driving while having consumed excess alcohol in breath.
Dungannon Magistrates Court heard the offence was detected on January 10 in the vicinity of Gortmerron Link Road, Dungannon.
Prosecuting counsel said the defendant later provided an evidential specimen showing an alcohol reading of 104 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
A defence solicitor said Svytoraityte worked as a kitchen assistant and, on this occasion, had driven between 500 and 600 yards to a shop.
"She stupidly took the car,” he said, pointing out the loss of her licence will cause her inconvenience.
District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked the reading was three times the legal limit, but he would give her credit for an early plea.