Drunk driver drove 300 metres to shop

Lorna Denise Reid (52), of Fountain Road, Cookstown, was also fined £185 with a £15 offender levy for driving with excess alcohol.

Prosecution counsel told Dungannon Magistrates Court on Wednesday that at 4.40pm on April 12, police received a report of a suspect drunk driver in the Cookstown area.

He said they spotted the defendant’s vehicle turning into Fountain Road and coming to a stop outside a house.

He said they spoke to the driver and asked her if she had been drinking and she replied: “I had something this morning.”

She failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested and taken to Dungannon custody suite, where an evidential specimen was obtained showing an alcohol reading of 87mgs in breath.

A defence lawyer said the incident happened on Easter Sunday and the defendant had a drink with her midday meal.

He said she then foolishly decided to drive the 300 metres from her home to a shop.

Counsel explained that the defendant’s last drink driving offence was over 20 years ago.

The lawyer said the defendant has difficulties walking and she was using a mobility vehicle.

District Judge Michael Rannaghan remarked that it was a high reading and he accepted the loss of her licence would cause difficulties given her mobility issues.