A 23-year-old apprentice electrician from Draperstown appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates' Court on 13 March after a single-vehicle crash on Cloane Road.

Jay-Lee Conway of Glengomna Road, Draperstown, provided a positive roadside breath test and later recorded a reading of 93 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the 35 microgram legal limit.

Police attended the scene at 11.30pm following reports of the collision. Conway was found emerging from nearby bushes after two passengers had already left the vehicle.

The court heard that Conway had been at a bar in Draperstown and decided to drive home, approximately two miles away, after failing to secure a lift.

No injuries were reported. Conway pleaded guilty and cooperated fully with officers at the scene.

District Judge Conor Heaney described the reading as high and imposed a fine of £250 plus a £15 offender levy.