‘Utterly stocious’ motorist drove on wrong side of road in Dungannon before crashing

Appearing at East Tyrone Magistrate’s Court to be sentenced was Maurice Patrick Carville, 55, from Monaghan Road near Caledon.

The court heard how police were on mobile patrol in the middle of Dungannon on July 28 2013 when they saw a car drive straight through the traffic lights at the John Street and William Street junction and down a one-way street.

The car again ignored lights at Beechvalley as it drove down the wrong side of the street before making its way towards the A4, ignoring police signals to stop.

The driver then took the car onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway and forced three passing vehicles to avoid a collision.

He then attempted to do a U-turn in the road before trying to force his way through the central reservation onto the correct side of the road. The barrier brought him to a halt.

Carville subsequently gave a breath sample over two times the legal limit.

His solicitor told the court that Carville has a “severe alcohol addiction”.

“This has not only been destructive to his family life, but to his health.

“The incident has been lost in a cloud of intoxication. He fully recognises that you will have custody in mid and looks upon that with trepidation.”

District Judge John Meehan told the defendant’s representative: “Here we are again with this outrageous piece of driving. He was utterly stocious.

“He was given suspended sentences in 2008 ... that were intended to have him recognise that any infraction would lead him to prison.”

Judge Meehan then handed down sentences totalling three months imprisonment and a five year disqualification from driving. Fines of £200 and an offender’s levy of £25 were also imposed.

Bail was set at £200 for appeal.