Man gets points for drunk in charge

Gareth Coulter (22) of Kingsway Grove, Craigavon was fined £150 and given ten penalty points last Friday for the offence.

He was also ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

On June 10 at Lime Grove in Lurgan Coulter was seen opening the driver’s door of a car. He was leaning into the car.

Police had seen him earlier in the day sleeping on a grass bank due to intoxication.

A breath test gave a reading of 74.

Coulter said: “I was only going to get my passport to go to the bank.”

Defence said Coulter wanted to get to the bank so he could continue socialising with his friends.

District Judge, Mr Alan White, said there were grounds to believe that the defendant did not drive or intend to drive.