Policeman had gun while over the limit

Glen William Graham (45), with an address in Bangor, faced charges of driving with

excess alcohol in breath on May 27 last year and possession of a loaded firearm while

drunk.

He was dealt with at Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges but after a contested hearing he was convicted of the offences and sentencing adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

The court heard that after a domestic incident police were contacted and told Graham was driving while drunk.

He reported to Mahon Road station in Portadown and an evidential breath test gave a reading of 83. He had his own personal weapon with him at the time.

A barrister representing the defendant alcohol was a feature of both offences and he took the wrong path to contest the charges which meant a loss of credit.

He added this will be life changing for Graham. The inevitable will happen and he will be looking for alternative employment.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he accepted the defendant had a clear record and a good record in his employment.

But, he added, in the contest there was reference to a bottle of vodka but in the probation report he gave a different version of the events given to the court.

He said the defendant should have pleaded guilty and the sentencing exercise would have been different.

For the excess alcohol offence Graham was fined £250 and banned from driving for 18 months.

He was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined £300

for possession of a loaded firearm while drunk. He was also ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.