Learner driver had cocktail of drugs in system

Jason Stephen Lavery (25), Castle Lane Mews, Lurgan, admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs on February 27 this year.

He was fined £350 and banned from driving for 12 months.

For not having insurance he was fined £200 and given a concurrent 12 month ban.

Fines of £75 were imposed for not having a vehicle test certificate and driving unaccompanied while he was fined £25 for not displaying ‘L’ plates and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that at 1.15am a police patrol on the Antrim Road, Lurgan, saw a car being driven erratically. It was in the middle of the road and went onto the wrong side of the road.

Lavery who was driving was a provisional licence holder, there was no test certificate, no ‘L’ plates were displayed and he was not accompanied.

He was examined by a doctor who suspected he was under the influence of drugs and a blood test was taken.

On examination a number of drugs were found in his system including cannabis and diazepam.

Mr Peter Murphy, representing the defendant, said his client simply had no excuse and should not have been driving.