A man who is accused of driving under the influence of butane and tramadol has failed to attend court.
Prosecution claimed that during interview the 45-year-old made admissions to having inhaled aerosols and when asked if the substances in his system could have impaired his driving replied: “Nah”.
Liam Caldwell, of Antrim Road in Belfast, had been due to appear charged with driving whilst unfit and breaching a traffic sign at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
The particulars allege that the offences were committed on September 27, of last year, in the vicinity of Merchants Quay, Newry.
Reading the alleged details, Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer outlined that police are said to have stopped this defendant in a BMW after driving through a red light.
Officers claim 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 claimed that during interview Caldwell made admissions to having inhaled the aerosols and when asked if the substances in his system could have impaired his driving replied: “Nah.”
Deputy District Judge Mateer noted that the address in the outline was different from that recorded on the charge sheet.
He adjourned the case until April 21 for the addresses to be checked.
