A man who was detected drink driving after colliding with a parked car on his own street has been handed a 12-month disqualification.
Court heard the 39-year-old, who is the sole earner in his household, would lose his job as a chicken catcher in Moy Park as a result of losing his licence.
Ivan Ivanov, of Folly Lane, Armagh pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Court heard that on February 24, police were called to a two-vehicle collision on Folly Lane.
The defendant, driving a Ford Galaxy, had collided with a parked vehicle a short distance from his home.
Officers spoke with Ivanov who admitted being the driver of the car.
A preliminary breath test was carried out and resulted in a fail.
The defendant was subsequently arrested and conveyed to Lurgan Custody Suite.
Due to technical difficulties, the breath test could not be carried out and a sample of Ivanov’s blood was taken.
Analysis of this revealed the defendant had 167mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood- over two times the limit.
Court heard that Ivanov, who worked as a chicken catcher at Moy Park, had no previous and lived with his partner with their two children.
Defence solicitor Chris Rafferty stated: “Mr Ivanov had been at a family function and thought he was okay to drive, the loss of his licence will mark the end of his employment.
“He is the sole bread winner in the family home.”
District Judge Peter Magill said: “Mr Ivanov you have pleaded guilty, this was quite a high reading but I am going to limit your disqualification due to your clear record.”
The defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
He was certified for the drink driving course which if completed would reduce his ban to one of nine months.
