Policeman nearly struck by vehicle
A POLICE officer was almost struck by a vehicle at 1am in Ballymena's Mount Street and when officers signalled for the Audi car to stop it emerged the driver was over the drink limit.
At Ballymena Magistrates Court on November 24, Florin Birtas (25), of Andena Grange, Ballymena, admitted charges of driving with excess alcohol and absence of insurance regarding the incident on October 17 at Mount Street, Ballymena. The alcohol/breath reading was 78/35.
Defence solicitor Stewart Ballentine said his client is a Romanian who works at Moy Park and had the car seized by police.
Noting the defendant was more than twice the legal limit, District Judge Peter King banned him from driving for 16 months and fined him £300.