He had been drinking the night before and had carried on that morning, but claimed he had his last drink before midday.
When he went in the shop to buy more drinks, an off-duty police officer smelt alcohol on his breath. They asked if the defendant had been drinking before calling for a uniformed officer to attend.
Connolly’s breath was tested and he was found to be just over double the legal limit.
Pictured: The defendant has been sentenced to six weeks in prison.
Advocate Sam Steel offered “no justification” for the defendant’s actions, but said he had been facing numerous personal problems including feeling “isolated” in the island.
Advocate Steel explained to the court that Connolly plans on returning to the US, where the majority of his “support network” is based, and that a prison sentence could have a negative impact on his visa application.
However, Judge Graeme McKerrell did not see reason to grant exceptional circumstances in his case.
“This was not a spur of the moment decision,” he said. “You had consumed a significant amount [of alcohol] in the morning and the simple fact is you didn’t need to drive anywhere. There are a number of shops you could have walked to. You knew the risk you were taking.”
Connolly was sentenced to six weeks in prison and was disqualified from driving in the island for four years.