A Lurgan man who admitted to drink driving but refused to give police an evidential breath sample has been handed a 12 month ban.
Sentencing the 28-year-old, the deputy district judge said: “I will give him the minimum disqualification but I am not going to certify him for the course….there has to be consequences to not providing a sample.”
David Campbell, of Killough Gardens, had a plea of guilty entered on his behalf to failing to provide a specimen of breath at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on December 11, at around 8.20pm, police received a report of a one vehicle collision on the Lake Road- Drumgor Road roundabout.
Officers arrived and spoke to the driver of the Ford Focus which had been involved, who was identified as the defendant.
Campbell made admissions to police to having consumed alcohol prior to driving the vehicle.
After initially refusing to comply a preliminary breath test, the defendant provided a sample which gave a lower reading of 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Campbell was subsequently arrested and taken to Lurgan Custody Suite, where he refused to provide an evidential sample of breath for testing.
Defence counsel stated: “Mr Campbell admitted to the offence of drink driving at the roadside, he had issues with his ex-girlfriend who was refusing to let him see their child.
“He drank a half bottle of Buckfast and then drove. He did not obstruct the police in any other way and this was his first conviction of this nature.”
Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes said: “I will give him the minimum disqualification but I am not going to certify him for the course….there has to be consequences to not providing a sample.”
Campbell was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
