A man who drove whilst under the influence of butane and tramadol has been disqualified from driving for a period of four years.
Prosecution previously outlined that during interview the 45-year-old made admissions to having inhaled aerosols, but when asked if the substances in his system could have impaired his driving, he replied: “Nah”.
Liam Caldwell, of Dacre Terrace in Derry/Londonderry, pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit and breaching a traffic sign at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
At a previous court hearing, it was outlined that on September 27, of last year, in the vicinity of Merchants Quay, Newry, police stopped the defendant driving a BMW after he went through a red light.
Officers observed that Caldwell appeared drowsy and that his speech was slurred and a number of aerosol cans were seized from his vehicle.
A sample of blood was taken from the defendant which, upon analysis, was found to have butane and tramadol along with various other substances in his system.
Prosecution stated that during interview Caldwell made admissions to having inhaled the aerosols, but when asked if the substances in his system could have impaired his driving replied: “Nah.”
Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall commented that the defendant had a “bad record” for motoring offences, outlining that he had a previous conviction for in charge from September of last year.
Caldwell was disqualified from driving for four years and was ordered to pay a fine of £550, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 26 weeks.
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