Banned driver accused of crashing van into a wall outside a house after drinking eight pints
A banned motorist allegedly overturned and crashed a van into a wall outside a house in north Belfast after drinking eight pints of lager, a court heard today.
Police also claimed Jonathon Tyrie got behind the wheel of the vehicle without the owner’s consent.
The 34-year-old was granted bail under strict orders not to be in the front seat of any other cars.
Tyrie, of no fixed abode, currently faces charges of aggravated vehicle taking causing damage, driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the Vauxhall van overturned and struck a wall surrounding a house on the Crumlin Road shortly after midnight on September 16 last year.
The crash caused structural damage to the perimeter of the property.
Police called to the scene found Tyrie injured and lying on the ground beside the van.
With a number of open alcohol containers spotted inside the vehicle, he failed a preliminary roadside breath test.
“He disclosed that he did not have permission to take the van,” an investigating detective said.
“He (also) admitted in interview that he had taken eight pints of lager prior to taking the vehicle.”
Defence barrister Conn O’Neill argued Tyrie has been remanded in custody since the incident and now wanted to be able to live with his girlfriend.
Granting bail to an address approved by police, District Judge Anne Marshall prohibited the defendant from drinking any alcohol.
“He is not to be in the front seat of any vehicle whatsoever,” she further ordered.
Mrs Marshall warned Tyrie: “I’m giving you one chance, if you breach any of those conditions you will be straight back into Maghaberry (Prison) until your case is dealt with.”