A 29-year-old man who told police there was no need to take a breath test as he was over the limit has been found guilty of being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol in his breath.

The court heard that on October 12, 2018 police were sent to Main Street, Ballinamallard to respond to a report that a driver who had consumed alcohol, had left Maguiresbridge and made their way there.

Officers observed a Renault Clio parked beside the shop on the street.

When they approached the vehicle they saw the defendant, Sean Card, of Harryville Street, Maguiresbridge sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running. Police went to carry out a preliminary breath test and it was at this point when Card told them there was no need because he was over the limit. The defendant was arrested and taken to Omagh Police Station where a breath test was carried out and returned a reading of 66mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Card's solicitor, John Quinn told the court that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, had accepted his guilt at the scene and co-operated with police throughout.

Mr. Quinn continued saying Card had got into a dispute with a friend and this was the reason he got into the car. He said his client knows this behaviour is unacceptable and hopefully he has learned something from all of this and he asked the court to give as much credit as possible to his client.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said the reading was not exceptionally high and he would give the defendant full credit for dealing with the matter and entering a plea at the earliest opportunity.

Card was disqualified from driving for three months and ordered to pay a fine of £175.