A Tempo motorist who took his girlfriend's car without her permission and then took the unusual step of driving to Enniskillen Police Station to admit to the offence has appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Before the court on a number of motoring related offences including taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, driving without insurance or a licence and driving with excess alcohol was John Paul McDonald (24) from Brockagh Road, Tempo.

The court heard, in evidence, that on 29th October last year, at around 4.25am, the defendant arrived at Enniskillen Police Station and told officers, 'I've taken my girlfriend's car without permission.'

Police noticed a smell of intoxicating alcohol from the defendant's breath and he was then arrested for driving with excess alcohol.

The defendant provided two specimens of breath for analysis, the lower reading being 69mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - 34 in excess of the legal limit.

When the defendant was later interviewed he admitted to having no licence and no insurance for the vehicle.

Defending, Ronan McManus told the court this was a very unusual situation.

Mr McManus explained that the defendant and his girlfriend (who is now his fiancee) had been out drinking earlier that evening. The defendant, who the court heard suffers from psychiatric problems, wasn't supposed to consume alcohol with his medication.

The defendant got up out of bed and took his girlfriend's car without permission. He then drove himself to the police station to hand himself in. "It was a 'Hands Up' situation' Mr McManus said.

The defendant was described as an unemployed man who is getting married later in the year. The defendant suffers from an incurable eye condition which means he will never be able to drive a car. Mr McManus said that was frustrating for the defendant and that he was also trying to deal with his alcohol problem.

The court heard the defendant's fiancee was in court to support him.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Austin Kennedy imposed a 12 month conditional discharge for taking and driving away. For driving with excess alcohol the defendant was fined £250 and disqualified from driving for one year.

For driving without insurance he was fined £300 and disqualified for six months (concurrent). For driving without a licence the defendant was fined £75.