Tyrone electrician picks up driving ban

Twenty-year-old Ross Burns from Aghindarragh Road, Augher, was also fined £250 arising out of an incident at Rainey Street car park in Magherafelt on November 19 last year.

The court heard that police received a report from a member of the public about the driver of a car consuming alcohol in the car park.

A prosecuting lawyer said at 1.55 hours police saw the same car parked outside a hot food carryout with its headlights on.

She said police saw Burns getting into the vehicle, which also had its engine running.

Counsel said police spoke to the defendant who agreed to provide a preliminary breath test which he failed.

She said he later provided a breath sample which revealed an alcoholic count of 46mgs, but refused to provide a blood specimen.

Defence barrister Michael Ford said Burns really should have availed of the blood test offered to him by the police as his reading was low.

Mr Forde told the court that the defendant had taken a friend, who had been involved in a fight, back to the car and that was how the matter came to the attention of the police. He added the defendant was currently disqualified from driving in relation to another matter.

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter also ordered Burns to pay a £15 offender’s levy.