Drugs found in system after crash at bridge

And a search of the vehicle and the defendant uncovered cannabis and tablets.

Jamie Patrick Downey (21), Princes Close, Lurgan, was fined £250 last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court for driving while unfit through drink or drugs on July 18 last year. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

For unlawful possession of herbal cannabis he was fined £250 and a £250 fine was imposed for unlawful possession of a class C drug Lyrica. The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

The court heard that police attended at a one vehicle road traffic accident at Ardmore Road where a car had collided with a bridge.

Downe said that a dog had run out in front of him and he had swerved to avoid it. An alcohol test proved negative but police noticed that Downey’s speech was slurred and he appeared very vacant.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a small bag of cannabis and three tablets were found in the defendant’s trouser pocket. On route to custody Downey said: “It’s mine. I know it’s mine.”

A blood sample was taken from him and on analysis it showed that there were drugs in his system.

A barrister representing Downey said it was a foolish series of actions and he was lucky there were not more severe consequences.