Staff at a shop in Armagh alerted police to a drink driver who entered the shop to buy alcohol for a second time that day.
Krzysztof Domanski, whose address was given as Tesco Stores Ltd in Dungannon, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court – sitting in Newry – on Tuesday, accused of driving with excess alcohol.
The public prosecutor told the court that on Tuesday, May 6, at approximately 1.30pm, staff at Deansbridge Filling Station alerted police to a black Mercedes parked in the forecourt.
The driver – Domanski – had been in the store earlier that day purchasing alcohol, and had just returned to buy more.
Staff were concerned as they noted the smell of alcohol coming from Domanski.
Police arrived on the scene and went to approach the vehicle as it began driving away from the fuel pumps.
Officers stopped the car and spoke to Domanski, noting that he appeared to have been drinking.
Domanski failed a roadside breath test and was taken to Dungannon custody suite, where he provided an evidential sample of breath. However, due to discrepancies in the two readings, the defendant consented to provide an evidential specimen of urine for forensic testing.
This was subsequently failed, with a reading of 135.
Defence barrister Conor Coulter said his client was “a man with an unblemished record” who has worked in the security industry in this jurisdiction in a variety of shops and shopping centres.
He added: “He has always been in employment up until a number of months ago. His relationship had ended and his mother became ill, and this man fully accepts that he has turned to alcohol in order to cope with those struggles.
“He has lost his immediate employment as a result of that but, as of last week, has re-entered employment in a factory setting, which he should be able to maintain.”
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare remarked: “There’s no excuse or explanation for somebody driving with alcohol in their system at all. There’ll be a 12-month disqualification.”
Domanski was also fined £250 along with the £15 offender levy.
