'Outrageous' alcohol reading

Tomasz Stachowski, of Princes Street, Lurgan, received a five month prison term, suspended for two years, for stealing a bottle of vodka from Tesco, Portadown, on July 26 last, and was also fined 40.

He was also sentenced to five months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for a series of motoring offences committed on October 4.

These were driving with excess alcohol, taking a vehicle without authority, driving without insurance and driving licence.

District Judge Alan White banned Stachowski from driving for two-and-a-half years, and imposed fines on the motoring charges totalling 310.

The two suspended prison terms are to run concurrently.

A Crown lawyer said the motoring offences were as a result of the defendant being stopped by police who noticed the smell of alcohol from his breath.

The lawyer said Stachowski provided breath specimens which showed a reading of 147 microgrammes.

Defending solicitor Mr Conor Downey, said his client, who admitted the offences, realised he would be off the road for some time.

Imposing sentence, Mr White described the alcohol reading as “outrageous”, saying it was four times over the permitted level.