A 25-year-old man has been ordered to complete community service and banned from driving for dragging a police officer with his car after fleeing a checkpoint in County Tyrone.

Jack Turley, of Glenvale Heights in Newry, was sentenced at Omagh Magistrates Court following the incident on the Beltany Road on 22 June 2025.

Police stopped a BMW at a checkpoint and spoke to Turley. Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and observed open tins of cider in the vehicle’s centre cup holder. After requesting he switch off the engine and provide a roadside breath sample, Turley restarted the car and drove off. An officer attempted to stop him by grabbing the keys but was dragged several metres along the road.

The BMW was later found abandoned in Kesh after running out of fuel. Turley was located and subsequently provided a breath sample, which recorded 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

The court heard that Turley had been travelling home from the Donegal Rally. The defence barrister described his behaviour as immature and said Turley wished to apologise to the injured officer and had shown genuine remorse.

District Judge Conor Heaney described Turley’s actions as reckless, noting he was fortunate the officer had not suffered more serious injuries, or he could have faced more serious charges in the Crown Court.

Turley was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, 50 hours of community service, a 12-month driving disqualification and a fine of £450.