'˜Foolishly' went to collect girlfriend

Niall McCauley, Primrose Gardens, Banbridge, was banned from driving for three years last Thursday at the local magistrates’ court.

He was also fined £300 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy for driving with excess alcohol in breath on January 29 this year.

The court heard that at 11.50pm on the Scarva Road police saw a car stop abruptly and they spoke to the driver. There was a smell of alcohol on his breath and he failed an initial breath test. An evidential breath test gave a reading of 83.

A solicitor representing McCauley said he had taken a few drinks and then received a call from his girlfriend to collect her. She added that the defendant made the foolish decision to drive.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said McCauley had been convicted of a similar offence in 2013 and that should have been a warning to him.

Imposing the three year ban he said the reading was high on this occasion.