Ran off after leaving details with witness

Stephen Skeffington, 41, from Moor Gardens admitted charges of drink driving and careless driving at East Tyrone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Police reported receiving a report of a crash at Gortgonis Terrace in Coalisland in the early hours of June 22nd.

They discovered damage to a Mercedes and to a Hyundai parked behind it.

The owner of the Mercedes told police how the car had been left unattended outside their home, but they had discovered the defendant’s car had collided with theirs.

They described watching as Skeffington attempted to move the car but he couldn’t get up the hill and kept sliding back into their car.

Suspecting a drink driver, the injured party filmed the incident.

Skeffington subsequently vacated the car, giving his details to the owner of the Mercedes before making off on foot before the police arrived.

He was located later and gave breath and blood samples which were over the legal limit.

Mr Fintan McAleer, defending, told the court that his client had been at a party before the incident but had made a full admission to police.

District Judge John Meehan handed down fines totalling £350 and a twelve month driving disqualification. He further imposed an offender’s levy of £15 and suspended licence until produced.