A man involved in a hit-and-run accident before almost crashing into a police car has been disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Craig Johnston (27), of Railway Court, Maguiresbridge was convicted of driving with excess alcohol in his breath, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop where an accident occurred, failing to report and failing to remain at an accident concerning an incident on October 30, of this year.

Just after 1am police were on the Tempo Road, Enniskillen at the traffic lights leading onto the Dublin Road when an MG jeep came from the direction of Maguiresbridge cutting onto the Tempo Road and nearly colliding with the police car.

There was substantial damage to the MG with the front number plate unreadable.

Police followed the jeep up Tempo Road where it stopped halfway around a roundabout.

When speaking to Johnston, police detected a smell of intoxicating liquor, Johnston's speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed.

He failed a preliminary breath test and while being taken to Omagh Police Station, police received a report of a hit-and-run traffic collision close to the Killyhevlin Hotel where a car was struck from behind and it was believed Johnston's jeep was involved in this.

In custody, Johnston gave an evidential reading of 66mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath and he was arrested.

During an interview, Johnston admitted drink driving close to the Killyhevlin and he had struck another car or a tree before panicking and driving off in the opposite direction.

Gary Black, Johnston's solicitor, told the court the aggravating factor in this incident was the collision but pointed out that from the start his client had been full and frank with police which saved police significant time in their investigations.

He said Johnston had been in Enniskillen socialising on the night in question and had tried to get a taxi home but could not and made the "stupid decision" to drive.

Mr. Black told the court that due to the incident Johnston had to leave his job as a driving licence was essential.

In convicting Johnston, District Judge Steven Keown took into account the aggravating factors in the case and counterbalanced this with Johnstons's clear record.

In total, Johnston received a 16 months disqualification and £600 in fines.