Man is banned for drink driving

Ryan Cochrane from Oak Grove was detected after he ran into the back of another car on the Scarva Road, Banbridge, at 11.45am on 10 April.

Cochrane, who has a previous similar conviction, was banned for three years and fined 275.

However District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland agreed to a reduction of the disqualification period by 25 per cent if Cochrane successfully completes the drink drive offenders course.

This means if he completes the course and resits his driving test, his ban could be reduced by nine months.

The court heard how police attended a minor injury road traffic accident involving Cochrane's Peugeot van. After speaking to him at the scene, officers carried out a roadside breath test which he failed.

A subsequent breath test gave a reading of 56mgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath - some 21 in excess.

Solicitor Mr Campbell explained that his client had ran into the back of another car.

"He had been travelling for half a mile behind a slow moving tractor and had just gone through a roundabout when the vehicle in front slammed the brakes on. There was very little damage."

Addressing his client's previous conviction, Mr Campbell said he had been convicted on 1 June 2000 and had "almost made it to the ten years."

He said his client was a "hard-working decent young man" and explained how the night before detection, Cochrane had been at a friend's for a few drinks.

"He walked home and some eight and a half hours had passed since his last drink. He was quite confident he would be ok. He didn't appear drunk at all to police. He was totally confident he would pass the test and apologises to the court."

District Judge Mr Paul Copeland said the court could not overlook the fact that this was Cochrane's second conviction. He was given six weeks to pay the fine.