The defendant gave a lower reading of 95mg, 60mg over the legal limit.
An 18-year-old female student was found to be more than twice the legal limit when stopped in her car by police.
Clare Agnew, of Rossfad Road, Whitehill, Ballinamallard was fined £250 and disqualified from driving for 18 months when she appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court. The prosecutor explained that on December 29, 2013 at 2.40am police were on mobile patrol in Enniskillen town centre when they came across the defendant driving a silver Renault Megane into the Wellington Road car park with no lights on.
When police spoke to Agnew they noted that her speech was slurred and could detect a smell of alcohol. They administered a preliminary breath test which the defendant failed and Agnew was then arrested and taken to Enniskillen police station. She gave a lower reading of 95mg, 60mg over the legal limit.
District judge Nigel Broderick remarked that this was a ‘high reading’.
Defence solicitor Barry Lynam explained that the university student had been socialising with friends and had taken the car into town. He told the court that Agnew had no intention of driving the car home having consumed alcohol, but unfortunately she had made a mistake which she was now paying a heavy price for. In mitigation Mr Lynam noted the defendant’s plea of guilty at the first opportunity.
Mr Broderick said that the fact this was such a high reading made it a serious matter, but gave credit to the defendant for her plea and her clear record. The judge added that the defendant was eligible for the drink driving course which upon successful completion would qualify her for a 25% reduction in her disqualification.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere