Man caused accident after reversing car along dual carriageway

A 33 year-old man who reversed his vehicle while travelling along the Toome bypass dual carriageway, causing an accident, was over the drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

Philip Muldoon of Mullan Road, Coagh appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with driving with excess alcohol and driving without due care and attention.

The court heard that at 6.15pm on June 28, police were tasked to a two vehicle road traffic accident at the Hillhead Rod, Toombridge. Police spoke to the defendant who was the driver of one the vehicles. He told police that he had missed the turnoff for Toome and started to reverse his car but collided with another car. When speaking to Muldoon, police detected a strong smell of intoxicating liquor. A roadside breath test was then conducted which the defendant failed. He was arrested and taken to Antrim Custody Suite where an evidential breath test revealed a reading of 61mg- 26 mg in excess of the legal drink drive limit. He was interviewed and made full admissions, the court heard.

A defence barrister said: “This incident occurred during a very difficult period of this man’s life. He had recently separated from his wife, the mother of his two children. “He had been out the night before and had went for a few bottles of Magners earlier on in the day. He thought he would be ok to drive. “He has never appeared before court. Losing his licence is going to have a very stark impact on this man’s life. “He made very candid admissions from the start,” added the barrister.

Speaking directly to Muldoon during sentencing, District Judge Alan White said: “You are entitled to credit for your clear record and the fact that your reading wasn’t the highest.”

Judge White disqualified Muldoon from driving for 12 months and fined him £365.