Drink driver disqualified

Sean Rankin, of Glenaden Hill, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and failing to provide a specimen.

The 27-year-old was caught drink-driving a short distance away from his home on November 6, last year.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard police were travelling along the Belt Road when they saw a vehicle swerve into oncoming traffic.

Officers spoke to Rankin and noticed he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

They attempted to conduct a preliminary breath test, however, the defendant did not provide a sample.

Rankin was arrested and evidential sample gave a reading of 83mg in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg of alcohol.

Defence solicitor Ciaran McGuinness said his client had been out for a family function and had consumed a couple of pints of beer.

He said Rankin ‘foolishly’ believed he was fit to drive and is now ‘embarrassed by his actions’.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan disqualified the 27-year-old from driving for 15 months and fined him a total of £400.