Man drove off from PSNI 'at speed' losing control of his BMW on the railway lines in Lurgan, Craigavon court hears
A man drove off from police ‘at speed’ and then lost control of his BMW on the railway lines in Lurgan, a court has heard.
Isaque Duarte, aged 42, of Meadowbrook, Craigavon, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court.
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He faced a number of charges including dangerous driving, possession of the Class C drug pregabalin and failing to provide a specimen for a driving with excess charge.
The court heard police were on mobile patrol at William Street, Lurgan on January 18 this year shortly after midnight, when they spotted a black BMW ‘making off at speed’.
"It was observed travelling down the centre of the road crossing the white lines at speed. It then hit the railway lines and lost control, careering into the opposing side of the road,” said the prosecutor.
The driver, Duarte, was “known to police” and was “clearly under the influence of alcohol”, the court heard.
“Police had to take control of him because he attempted to drive forward,” said the prosecutor.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “I think we will stop there. I think we have reached the point where the custody threshold is passed.”
"This is one of those cases where members of the public could potentially be put at very, very significant risk,” he said.
Duarte’s barrister, Mr Aaron Thompson, assured the district judge his client’s English is “fine”.
“You can see by his record he has been in court multiple times before,” he said.
District Judge Ranaghan told him he was ordering a pre-sentence report, adding: “This is a very serious matter.”
The case was adjourned until April 10 and Duarte was banned from driving in the interim.