A Portadown woman who was caught drink driving for the fourth time has been banned from driving for three years.
The 52-year-old’s solicitor told court: “She has held down a full time job for a long time but alcohol is clearly the bane of her life and she needs help.”
Suzanne Gilmore, of Carrick Road, appeared for sentencing for driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on December 27, at 11.40am, police received a report of a suspected drink driver in a Nissan car in the Portadown area.
At around noon, officers observed a vehicle with a matching registration leaving the Texaco filling station on the Dungannon Road, Portadown.
Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the defendant. After noting a strong smell of intoxicating liquor a preliminary breath test was carried out, resulting in a fail.
Whilst in custody, an evidential sample of breath was taken giving a reading of 129mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Court previously heard that this was the defendant’s fourth driving with excess alcohol offence.
Speaking on Friday, District Judge Steven Keown commented: “129 in breath and she says that if the same situation were to arise she would do it again.”
Defence solicitor Gabriel Ingram stated: “Probation have recommended that she engage in counselling. Her record is relevant but the last offence was some time ago.
“She has held down a full time job for a long time but alcohol is clearly the bane of her life and she needs help.”
Gilmore was disqualified from driving for three years and was sentenced to 12 months probation.
