For what was described as a “morning after case” a Co Derry motorist stopped on the Glenshane Road at Maghera, has been handed a 14-month driving disqualification.

Magherafelt Magistrates Court was told that on July 5 this year, police received a report of a suspected drink-driver and later stopped a vehicle on the hard shoulder.

Patrick Kevin Purtill, aged 34, of Londonderry, was also fined £250 with a £15 offender’s levy for driving with excess alcohol in breath.

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Glenshane Road, Maghera, were the court heard the offence was detected. Credit: Google Maps

placeholder image — Glenshane Road, Maghera, were the court heard the offence was detected. Credit: Google Maps

Prosecuting counsel said the defendant’s vehicle was pulled over to the hard shoulder at 6.30am, and he was arrested after failing a preliminary breath test.

He was conveyed to custody where he provided an alcohol reading of 92 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.

A defence solicitor described it as a morning after case who said Purtill had been out in Belfast and took a coffee the next morning and thought he was okay to drive home.