A Portadown man who was caught by police driving whilst under the influence of drugs has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
The 21-year-old’s solicitor informed the court that forensic tests carried out whilst the defendant was in custody showed he had “appropriate drugs in his system”.
Matthew McCrory, of Swallow Field, pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit through drugs and using a vehicle without insurance at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn.
Prosecution outlined that on July 12, 2019, police on patrol in Portadown observed a Peugeot 306 being driven erratically, crossing the white lines in the vicinity of the Edgarstown roundabout.
Officers spoke to the driver, who was identified as the defendant, and it was observed that his eyes were glazed and his speech slurred.
A preliminary breath test was passed by McCrory but we was arrested after checks revealed there was no policy of insurance on the vehicle.
Defence solicitor Richard Montieth informed the court that forensic tests carried out whilst the defendant was in custody showed he had “appropriate drugs in his system”.
He stated: “He is now the proud father of a five day old baby living with his girlfriend. He does accept that he had taken cannabis the night before.
“At the time he had fallen out with his father and was living between friends’ addresses.”
McCrory was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine £500, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
