Conor Henry, 26, of Meadowbrook, Tullygally, Craigavon, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Police stopped Henry’s grey Volkswagen Golf at a checkpoint on Bridge Street, Portadown, shortly after 1:15am on 2 May.

Officers noted Henry was agitated, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. An evidential breath test recorded 58 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, above the 35-microgram legal limit.

Henry’s solicitor told the court he had gone to a 24-hour garage for cigarettes and described the decision as extremely foolish.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan accepted Henry was remorseful, banned him from driving for 12 months and imposed a fine of £185 plus a £15 offender levy.