Magherafelt drink driver had succumbed to peer pressure

Brian Ludlow, whom his defence said had “succumbed to peer pressure on the night in question”, was almost 2.5 times over the drink drive limit when tested by police on Oct 5 at KIng Street. Magherafelt.

Speaking on behalf of his client, counsel told the court how Ludlow had a clean driving licence, and how before this incident the apprentice at Lloyds Bank had never been in trouble, but was instead a young man who volunteered at Age Concern and played football for his local GAA club.

Although Judge White agreed he deserved some credit, he said the amount of excess alcohol warranted a ban.

Sentencing him to a 16 month ban for driving with excess alcohol, he also outlined the option of reducing this period by four months if he does a drink driving course.

He was also given a concurrent 6 month ban for careless driving, must pay a £300 fine and £15 offenders levy within 16 weeks, and retake his driving test before getting back on the roads.