Isus Metodiev, 33, of Charlemont Street in Dungannon, appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court on Friday. He received a £250 fine and a 12-month driving ban for excess alcohol in breath.

Police on patrol in the Sullenboy Park area of Cookstown noticed a car with steamed-up windows and music playing on the night of February 1. Four people stood near the vehicle. When officers pulled alongside, the car drove towards Greenvale Drive.

Officers followed and used blue lights and sirens to halt the car. The driver smelled of alcohol and was arrested. He was taken to Dungannon custody suite for testing.

His breath sample measured 52 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit stands at 35 micrograms.

Metodiev has a prior record. He informed the court that he relies on his licence as a father of three who gathers mushrooms in County Monaghan for work.

District Judge Francis Rafferty stated that excess alcohol driving requires mandatory disqualification and imposed the ban immediately.