Being in charge of a vehicle while he had excess alcohol consumed is the charge eighteen year old Philip Joseph McManus from Derrin Road in Enniskillen faced when he appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

The court heard on 18th March this year, around 2.20am police came across the defendant standing beside a car in the Yoan Road area. The defendant smelt of intoxicating liquor and he admitted he had driven the car earlier in the evening. The defendant still had the keys of the car in his hand.

The defendant was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a vehicle and was taken to Enniskillen Police Station where he provided an specimen of breath, the lower reading being 56mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath 21 in excess. The prosecuting solicitor pointed out to the court that as the defendant was detected outside the vehicle he only faced a charge of being drunk in charge of the vehicle.

Defending, Sean McHugh said the defendant had gone out in the car about an hour and a half ago and had then parked the car up.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally imposed a £250 fine and disqualified him from driving for six months.