A TEMPO man was found intoxicated in the driver's seat of a van after trying to "drown his sorrows" with alcohol, a court has heard. 

Kevin Patrick Goodwin (45) was sentenced at Enniskillen Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 2. 

A prosecutor told the court how on July 13 of this year, police received a report of a suspected drink-driver on the Edenmore Road, Tempo. 

On arrival, police observed a Vauxhall van parked at the side of the Edenmore Lane. Goodwin was in the driver's seat, slumped to one side. 

Police noted that he "appeared intoxicated", and was "slurring his words". 

A preliminary breath test was carried out, which revealed a high reading. Goodwin was arrested and taken to Dungannon Custody Suite. 

Solicitor Michael Fahy said that Goodwin's marriage had broken down a number of days before he was detected.

"In the days leading up to this incident, he had separated from his wife," Mr. Fahy said. "This was very difficult for him to deal with.

"It was a long-standing relationship, and they had three children; two grown up, and one who has started secondary school today."

Mr. Fahy said that Goodwin had been staying at his mother's house, and had been drinking to "drown his sorrows".

"He effectively wanted to blur things out," Mr. Fahy said, adding that the incident had brought Goodwin to "rock bottom".

Mr. Fahy added that as an self-employed painter and decorator with no employees, Goodwin's work would be deeply impacted if he were to lose his licence. 

District Judge, Alana McSorley, said that she was willing to afford Goodwin credit for his "good character". 

Judge McSorley imposed 10 penalty points, along with a £350 fine and £15 offender levy.