Driving without any headlights on has brought Trevor Acheson (26) from Casheladrea, Garrison before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court where he faced a charge of driving with excess alcohol.

The Court was told that Police noticed the defendant driving a Citroen Saxo car without lights and with the front windscreen frozen on the evening of 18th February this year. They followed the defendant into Melvin Park, Garrison where they spoke to him about his driving.

The defendant smelt of intoxicating liquor and, after failing a preliminary breath test, he was arrested and taken to Enniskillen Police Station where he provided two evidential specimens of breath, the lower reading being 96mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - 61mg in excess of the legal limit.

The court heard when he was charged the defendant said, 'No, that's grand'. The court also heard the defendant had a previous, relevant conviction. Defending, Garry Smyth said his client was a young man from a rural area who worked in the building trade. On the night in question, he had travelled a short distance to a friend's house where he had intended to stay. Due to the inclement weather, he foolishly decided to take the car. When Mr Smyth said Acheson was interested in partaking of the drink-drivers course, he was informed that that this was only available to first time offenders.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Bonita Boyd imposed a £350 fine and disqualified the defendant from driving for 3 years.