Derry man handed seven month sentence for series of driving offences

A man who received a suspended sentence in June has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today after he admitted similar offences.

George McGowan (36) of Beraghvale in Derry admitted driving with excess alcohol on June 15.

The court heard that police were on patrol in the Culmore Road area and observed a vehicle 'veering' across the road.

They stopped the vehicle driven by McGowan at Sainsburys and detected the smell of alcohol.

An evidential breath test revealed a reading of 79mgs more than twice the legal limit. 

The defendant said he had consumed two large glasses of wine. 

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said that McGowan had a relevant record. 

He said he initially believed he did not need help with his alcohol issues but now accepts he does. 

McGowan was jailed for seven months and disqualified from driving for three years.