Was giving a friend a lift

John Maguire, Moytown Road, Aghagallon, was banned for 12 months last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court for driving with excess alcohol in his breath on January 29 this year.

He was also fined £250 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that at 12.15am a police patrol in Aghagallon followed a car and due to the manner of driving pulled it over.

When the defendant who was driving put the window down police could smell intoxicating liquor. An evidential breath test gave a reading of 51.

Mr Gerry Drain, representing the defendant, said that his client had been out celebrating a family birthday and had gone home when a friend asked for a lift.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said the defendant would remain banned until he sat and passed the appropriate test.

She certified him suitable for the drink driving course which on completion would reduce his ban to nine months.