Newtownabbey man with alcohol taken said he was sitting in parked car to keep warm
An over-the-limit man in the driver seat of a parked car in Randalstown at 1am said he had gone to the vehicle to keep warm.
Aaron Sproule (37), of Sallybush Road near Ballyrobert, admitted being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol in breath.
Ballymena Magistrates' Court heard the defendant was detected on January 19, 2026 in the driver's seat. Police noticed the lights on and the engine was warm.
There was a smell of intoxicating liquor from his breath.
He had an alcohol in breath reading of 79 - the legal limit is 35.
The court heard Sproule had a previous "similar" entry on his record.
A defence barrister said Sproule had been "entirely stupid" and was remorseful.
She said he was waiting to be "picked up" and had gone to the vehicle because it was cold.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant should have "learned his lesson the last time".
Sproule was banned from driving for a year and fined £300.