'˜Unsteady' man was spotted getting into a parked car

Jevgenijs Klincevics (33), Orchard Drive, Portadown, was banned from driving for 12 months last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

He was also fined £350 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy for being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol in his breath on June 25 this year.

For failing to provide a specimen of breath he was fined £150.

The court heard that police were on duty in Park Road, Portadown, when they saw a man and a female, who were both unsteady on their feet and carrying a bottle of whisky, get into the front of a parked vehicle. The defendant got into the driver’s side.

Police tapped on the window and Klincevics placed the car keys on the passenger seat.

There was alcohol on his breath and he said he had only been going to the car to get a compact disc.

When he got out of the car he refused to provide a breath sample but in Lurgan custody suite he provided an evidential sample which gave a reading of 80 - the legal limit is 35.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said that his client had been in the company of a young lady.

Referring to a statement Mr Downey said that reading between the lines the defendant had no intention whatsoever of driving the vehicle.

Imposing the ban District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said the defendant had a ‘horrendous record’ for this type of offence.