Co Antrim retail manager drove drunk on motorway after awards ceremony
A retail boss who drove home drunk from an awards ceremony has been banned from the roads.
Aidan McIvor (40), of Carnbeg Green in Antrim town, was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Tuesday.
The court was told that at 3.20am on Sunday, April 19, this year police received a report of a vehicle being driven in a "dangerous and erratic manner" at Holywood.
A BMW was "swerving over the road, mounting the kerb and possibly colliding with a crash barrier".
Police received a further report of the car being driven on the M2 motorway. Police located it at the defendant's address. There was damage to the vehicle.
Police saw the defendant "unsteady on his feet" at a property and he was "highly distressed".
The defendant told police he had been at a "work-related awards ceremony in the Culloden Hotel and had consumed alcohol before driving home".
He had an alcohol in breath reading of 89 - the legal limit is 35.
A defence barrister said the defendant had no record and the incident was "completely out of character".
The defendant was "extremely apologetic". The court was told the defendant is an area manager for a retail group.
He had been at the hotel and "dozed off". When he awakened he "packed his bag" and "thought he was OK" to drive.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant had made a "foolish and dangerous decision" to get behind the wheel.
The defendant was banned from driving for 15 months and he was fined £300.