Draperstown man ran away from police before he could be breathalyzed

A Draperstown man, who suffered an anxiety attack and ran off before police could breathalyze him, has lost his licence for six months.
Drink driving chargeDrink driving charge
Drink driving charge

Connor Doherty (21), of Drumderg Cottages, was also fined a total of £365 for failing to provide a specimen of breath, obstructing police and having no vehicle licence fund on February 5 last.

A PPS lawyer said at 6.25pm police on patrol at Moneyneany Road, Draperstown, observed a car swerve across the centre white line of the road on two separate occasions after pulling out of the car park of a bar.

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The prosecutor said police detected a strong smell of intoxicating liquour and when they returned to the vehicle for the breathalyze, defendant ran off and made good his escape across fields. He added that police carried out an extensive search without result.

The prosecutor said Doherty was later interviewed at Magherafelt police station where he told police he had not taken any alcohol and had run off because of an anxiety attack.

Defence solicitor Joe Mallon said Doherty had driven just 500-yards from the bar to his home. He explained that defendant had called on his way from work at the bar around 5.30pm to do the lotto and had then driven home.

He said Doherty had been taking medication, and described him as a hard working young man.