Cyclist was three times over the limit

A man who was seen to fall off his bicycle and cycle from side to side in the road was over three and a half times the legal limit when breath tested by police.
CourtCourt
Court

Andrius Andriuska (31), Drumellan Court, Craigavon, admitted cycling while unfit and therefore being incapable of having proper control on July 31. He was fined £50.

The local court heard last Wednesday that at around 8pm a police patrol on the Brownlow Road saw a man falling off his bike on a cycle track.

Police went to offer assistance and saw the defendant cycling in the middle of the road, going from side to side. Vehicles had to swerve to avoid a collision.

There was a car driving behind him and when police stopped the defendant they discovered the car was being driven by his wife. He had phoned her.

Andriuska was unsteady on his feet. He said he had stopped off at the pub for a few drinks on his way home from work.

Police breath tested him and the reading was 120. He had taken to cycling after he had been banned from the roads for drink driving.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said there was an element of levity in the matter but the defendant could have hurt himself and was causing a danger to other road users. “Shank’s pony may be the last resort,” added Judge Copeland.

Mr Brendan Hagan, representing the defendant, said Andriuska’s wife had spoken to him quite severely about this incident.

Related topics: