An Armagh man with no record has been handed a 12-month driving ban after being caught behind the wheel while over twice the legal limit.
The district judge commented it was sad to see the 70-year-old with a driving record such as his before the court.
Frederick Henry Wright, of Edenaveys Gardens, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Court heard that on April 8, police received a report of a suspected drink driver in a Peugeot on the Newry Road, Armagh.
Officers attended the home of the last registered owner of the car and observed as the vehicle made its way on to the driveway of the property.
They spoke to the defendant, who was the driver, noting he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
A preliminary breath test was carried out resulting in a fail.
Wright was subsequently arrested and taken to Dungannon Custody Suite, where a reading of 93mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath was taken.
Defence solicitor Oisin Toner stated: “This was a plea at the earliest opportunity, he accepts full responsibility.
“This is a 70-year-old retired man who has never been in trouble for anything before.”
District Judge Peter Magill said: “It is sad to see a man with your driving record over a very long time before the court but you owned up to it and I will give you credit.”
Wright was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
He was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine months if completed.
