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Man found ‘in charge’ of vehicle after ‘drinking all day’ handed 10 penalty points

Defence said: 'He had been drinking and was waiting in the vehicle outside a friend's house. It was not mobile at the time'

An Armagh man who was found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle which was stationary whilst over twice the legal drink drive limit has been handed 10 penalty points.

Court heard that when spoken to by police the 34-year-old made admissions to having been drinking all day.

Martin Joseph Fullerton, of Market Street, had a plea of guilty to being in charge with excess alcohol entered on his behalf at the City’s Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.

Prosecution outlined that on June 7, at 6pm, police found the defendant in the driver’s seat of a vehicle on Fairgreen Avenue in Keady with the ignition on.

Officers observed that Fullerton’s speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed, and upon being spoken to he admitted to having been drinking all day.

The keys were removed from the vehicle and a preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail.

A subsequent evidential test which was at Dungannon Custody Suite gave a reading of 91mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Speaking in defence of Fullerton, solicitor John Rocks stated: “He had been drinking and was waiting in the vehicle outside a friend’s house. It was not mobile at the time.”

District Judge Eamonn King issued Fullerton with 10 penalty points and ordered that a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, be paid within four weeks.

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