Driver caught out by waiting for police to leave filling station

When a motorist appeared to be watching them until they moved on police spoke with him and discovered he had been drinking.

He was Wayne John Lavery (45), Pinebank, Craigavon, and he was banned from driving for 18 months last Wednesday at the local magistrates’ court.

For failing to provide a specimen of breath he was also fined £300 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

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The court heard that on February 20 this year at 1.05am police on patrol in Portadown saw a car pull into the forecourt of a filling station.

The driver got out of the vehicle and went into the store.

When he came out he stood by the car and appeared to be watching for the police to leave.

Lavery was spoken to by police who smelled intoxicating liquor on his breath.

He failed a preliminary breath test and was taken to Armagh custody suite where he failed to provide a specimen.

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Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said his client accepted he was above the legal limit.

He explained that Lavery had taken a few drinks at home with a friend and had gone to the filling station to get cigarettes for his friend.

He has disposed of the vehicle.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said that anyone who does not co-operate will not get the minimum disqualification of 12 months.