Arnold Mupani, 51, of Tobergill Gardens, Antrim, appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena on charges arising from an incident on 2 May.

The court heard that at 1.40am Mupani was driving on the Belfast Road when he approached a police checkpoint. An officer signalled for the vehicle to stop. The car slowed before continuing, and officers followed and stopped it a short distance later.

Mupani was not wearing a seat belt. Police noted he smelt of alcohol and had glazed eyes. A breath test produced a reading of 79 micrograms, above the legal limit of 35.

A defence representative told the court that Mupani, a nurse, had attended a friend's house after work where alcohol was consumed. He could not obtain a taxi and decided to drive. The representative said Mupani had been seeking a safe place to park rather than attempting to avoid police.

Mupani admitted driving with excess alcohol, failing to comply with a police direction, and failing to wear a seat belt. He was disqualified from driving for 13 months and fined £420.

The offence occurred in County Antrim.