Man made 'foolish decision' to take his brother's car to get more alcohol - court told

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man made a 'foolish decision' to take his brother's car to get more alcohol.

Niall Barnes (36) of Fincairn Road, Drumahoe admitted a series of driving offences that occurred on September 8.

The court heard that police were alerted that a vehicle had been sighted in the Church Brae area with the driving drinking and the engine running.

The vehicle was located heading towards the City side and police followed it using lights and sirens. 

Barnes complied with police and pulled over and the court heard it was obvious he was intoxicated. 

He failed a preliminary breath test and an evidential test revealed a reading of 90mgs.

Defence counsel Nicki Rountree said that it was his brother's car and Barnes had been drinking in the house and decided to take the car without his brother's knowledge to get more alcohol and cigarettes. 

She said Barnes had never held a driving licence. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that it was 'a very high reading' and fined Barnes a total of £650 and disqualified him for 16 months. 

He also imposed a conditional discharge for a period of two years.