DIC case ‘a waste of time and money’

Wednesday 12th April 2006, 12:00AM BST.

A MAN asked by the police to leave a Christmas party at his own home and who was later arrested for sleeping in his car has won an appeal – and got his driving licence back.

Martin Burns (25), of Halkett Place, was told to leave a party that he was holding with his brother at their home address at 2 am on Boxing Day, after an argument broke out.

Mr Burns, who had been drinking, was found sleeping in the driving seat of his car, parked in a private space off Union Lane, soon after.

In the Magistrate’s Court he was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £200 – and lost his job as a result.

The Royal Court has quashed the conviction – on a technicality.

It noted that Mr Burns was parked on private land off the street.

Costs were awarded to the defence.

‘What a waste of time and hard-earned money from the general public,’ said Mr Burns afterwards.

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