Drink driving twice in a matter of weeks

Twice within a matter of weeks a 57-year-old man was caught drink driving, Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Friday.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.

James Tedford, Deramore Drive, Portadown, admitted driving with excess alcohol in his breath on October 22 this year and again on November 13.

For each offence he was fined £150 and banned from driving for three years.

On October 22 police were made aware of a car being driven erratically on the Brownstown Road in Portadown and on the Armagh Road it was crossing the white line. Tedford was unsteady on his feet and an evidential test gave a reading of 68 in breath.

On November 13 police saw the same vehicle in Church Street in Portadown. It had no lights on so police stopped it.

Tedford was driving and after failing a roadside test an evidential breath test gave a reading of 74.

A solicitor representing the defendant said he had put himself in a difficult position with two drink driving offences in a short period of time. Referring to the first incident he explained that Tedford had been out with his partner and a friend having a few drinks.

He added that they all had walked home and then the defendant foolishly decided to give his friend a lift to his home.

The solicitor explained that his client was having difficulties with his son who had issues with drink and drugs.

The solicitor added that on the night of the second drink driving offence the defendant had taken a few drinks at home and was in bed when his daughter informed him his son was fighting in town. He said that Tedford went looking for his son but should have made other arrangements.

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