Banned for 16 months

Fifty one year old John Samuel Blair, of Ashleigh Crescent, Lurgan, was also fined £200 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

On completion of a drink driving course the ban would be reduced by four months.

As well Blair was fined £50 and given a concurrent six month ban for driving without due care and attention.

The court heard that on June 17 at 11.52am police received a report of a traffic accident on the Avenue Road in Lurgan.

The injured party said he was stopped at traffic lights when they defendant drove into the back of his motorcycle knocking him off the bike.

The defendant accepted responsibility but when the injured party suggested calling the police Blair said not to call them because he had been drinking.

Police were called and they found the car parked in the defendant’s driveway. At the police station he was unable to provide a breath sample and he refused to provide a blood sample.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said the vehicle was owned by Blair’s partner and was insured.

He added that the defendant had been out socialising with his friends the evening before. He had taken the car to go for some messages.

District Judge, Mr Alan White, said because Blair did not provide a specimen he did not know how far he was over the limit.