A man who “panicked” and drove away from a police checkpoint because he had been drinking the day before has been convicted of failing to stop for police.

At around 2.30pm on January 13, police were carrying out a checkpoint on the Moorlough Road, Newtownbutler, Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday.

They stopped a Volkswagen Passat being driven by Trevor William Alexander McAuley (51), of Magheraveely Road, Magheraveely, Newtownbutler.

Officers observed beer cans in the car and McAuley appeared “dishevelled”, and McAuley was asked to pull over on to the side of the road.

However, McAuley drove off in the direction of Lisnaskea, and despite police following him they were unable to locate him.

On January 19, police called to McAuley’s address and cautioned him. He said he had panicked because he had been drinking and was afraid it was over the limit.

Gary Black, McAuley’s solicitor, said his client had given a “candid response” during interview with police being concerned he was over the limit.

He explained the beer cans in the car were unopened and McAuley had been drinking until midnight the previous day.

Mr. Black said his client suffered with anxiety and asked the court to take that into account when considering McAuley’s thought process on the day.

For failing to stop for police, McAuley was fined £300.