Over-the-limit Craigavon motorist had drink on plane and then damage was caused to barrier at airport car park
A man had drink on a plane coming from Liverpool and then was over-the-limit in his vehicle when damage was caused to a barrier at a car park at Belfast International Airport.
The 64-year-old pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in breath at the airport and failing to provide a preliminary breath test on April 27 this year.
Howard Cropper, of Lakelands, Craigavon also pleaded guilty to causing damage to a barrier at the Park and Fly car park. The defendant was in the dock at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday.
A prosecutor said the defendant had "driven through the barrier causing it to fall off" at the car park at 9.50am. The barrier was repaired with no cost, the court was told.
Police spoke to the defendant and could smell alcohol. He was "irritable". He refused to give a preliminary breath test but when taken to custody he did give a sample and had an alcohol in breath reading of 97 - the legal limit is 35.
The defendant said although he pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage "I didn't smash through the barrier".
He said the barrier came down on him. He said he became "abusive" because he was "shocked" and felt like he was being "penned in".
He said he had been in Liverpool visiting his grand kids and on the way home had drink at Liverpool airport and wine on the plane.
The defendant queried why a court list in the courthouse had the word 'Attitude' beside his name.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said "that doesn't mean you have an attitude" and said many people on the court list would have the word 'Attitude' beside their names.
The judge said 'attitude' meant the court wanted to know if defendants were pleading guilty or not guilty - "we call that 'attitude', not that you've got a bad attitude".
The defendant said: "I do have a bad attitude sometimes."
Cropper was banned from driving for 15 months and was fined £400 for the drink driving related charges.
He was given a one-year conditional discharge regarding the damage charge.