The captain of a merchant vessel has been sacked after he was found to be drunk in charge of a boat at Belfast Harbour, a court has heard.
Estonian man Juri Ting apppeared at Belfast Magistrates Court where he admitted a charge of 'excess alcohol by a master of a ship.'
The 50-year old - whose address was given an 'unknown, Estonia' - was handed a four month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years - by District Judge Ken Nixon.
The court heard that at 6.40pm on Tuesday July 11 Belfast Harbour Police were tasked to the Harbour Estate following reports that the captain of a vessel was unfit to control the boat.
A representive from the PPS said that when harbour police attended, these suspicions were confirmed. Ting was arrested and taken to Musgrave Street police station, where he failed a breath test.
Defence counsel Sean O'Hare said that as a result, Ting has lost his job. Revealing that Ting came before the court with a clear criminal record, Mr O'Hare said his client had been employed in the shipping industry since 1990 and had worked his way up to the position of master - a post he has held for four years.
Mr O'Hare also said that when arrested, there was "no actual risk to the public," that Ting was not loading or unloading, and that the vessel was not due to leave Belfast until today. The barrister said that while Ting admitted he had been drinking, he had co-operated with police and admitted his responsibility.
Mr O'Hare concluded by saying Ting would now be returning ton Estonia where "he will try and rebuild what is left of his life."
District Judge Ken Nixon said: "Taking account of all of the circumstances outlined, I am sentencing him to four months, which will be suspended for two years."
