Drink driver caught out for a second time

But Stephen Desmond James McManus (26), The Grange, Lurgan, was over the limit and admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

Because it was his second drink driving conviction inside a ten year period he was sentenced to the minimum three year disqualification and fined £300.

The court heard that on May 24 this year at 1.30am he was driving in the Charles Street car park. Police noticed that the headlights were off but the fog lights were on. They spoke to McManus and there was a smell of alcohol on his breath. An evidential breath test gave a reading of 59 - the limit is 35. He had been convicted for a similar offence in 2009.

A defence solicitor said he had consumed a few beers at home and gone to bed when he received a call from a friend asking for a lift.

He added that McManus felt he was able to drive and drove less than a mile to collect his friend.