Take-away trip leads to ban for Coleraine man

North Antrim Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday that on July 20 this year Peter McLaughlin (49) of Somerset Court was observed by police driving a Citroen Xsara in the Somerset Park area of the town.

When they stopped the vehicle officers said they could smell alcohol and the defendant's speech was slurred. Mr McLaughlin failed a preliminary test at the scene and was found to be more than double the legal limit after taking a test at Coleraine Police Station.

The defence told the court that Mr McLauglin had been drinking whilst watching a World Cup match on the television. He still thought he was under the limit and decided to drive to pick up a take-away. The defence added that Mr McLauglin, who has had a clean licence for 26 years, was embarrassed by the incident.

District Judge, Mr Richard Wilson, also handed the defendant a 250 fine.