County Derry man suffered panic attack after taking cocaine and handed himself into police

A County Derry man, who suffered from a panic attack after taking cocaine, later drove to the police station and handed himself in, a court has heard.

Graham McGarvey, of Millrace Square in Moneymore, appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court this morning charged with driving while unfit.

The court heard that McGarvey attended Magherafelt PSNI station on June 22 and demanded to speak to a police officer.

When asked what the issue was, McGarvey pushed past the guard and became aggressive.

When the 35 year-old was asked if he had taken anything, he responded 'cocaine'.

The sanger guard said that he had spotted the defendant drive past the police station several times before parking up and approaching the station, the court heard.

McGarvey was subsequently arrested and cautioned for driving while unfit.

A blood sample was also taken from the defendant which confirmed that he had cocaine in his system at the time of his arrest.

McGarvey's defence solicitor said that his client had been out with friends on the night in question and had taken cocaine.

He stated that the defendant was having a panic attack about the effects of the drug in his system and decided to drive to the police station for assistance.

The solicitor added that McGarvey has since lost his job and is 'extremely embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour'.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan disqualified McGarvey from driving for 12 months and fined him £245.