A man from Crumlin has been fined after being found slumped over in his van with a bottle of vodka following a collision near Magherafelt.

James Patrick Maguire, 35, of Ballydonaghy Meadows, appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates Court charged with driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and failing to remain and report the accident.

Police were called at around 2.30pm on October 24 last year to a report of a collision and a vehicle heading towards Castledawson. Officers found Maguire slumped over, with his clothes soaked in urine and a bottle of vodka in the vehicle.

The court heard that his van had struck another car, damaging the driver’s door panels. After being escorted by police, he provided a blood specimen which showed an alcohol level of 188 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes.

During a police interview, Maguire gave no comment to all questions. His defence lawyer said he runs a small gardening business and that the proceedings would have a devastating impact on his work.

District Judge Conor Heaney imposed total fines of £425, along with a £15 offender’s levy. The judge noted that the reading was extremely high and the defendant was clearly incapable of driving. He also took into account Maguire’s relevant record.