A motorist who was in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol in breath claimed the car had broken down and whilst awaiting a recovery truck he “foolishly” began to drink alcohol.
Joe McGaharan, of no fixed abode in Lurgan, was detected at, according to his charge sheet, Queen Street in Lurgan on January 18 this year.
The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence and also admitted a charge of resisting a police officer.
A defence barrister told Craigavon Magistrates’ Court after a breakdown a recovery truck was “taking some time to come” and the defendant “foolishly started to consume alcohol that was in the car”.
Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor said the defendant had a similar ‘in charge’ offence on his record and told him: “You should have learned your lesson before, but apparently not”.
On the last occasion he said the defendant had been fined £200 on that matter so the judge said on this occasion he was increasing the fine to £300. Ten penalty points were also handed down.
The defendant was also fined £200 on the resisting police charge.
