Driver appeals jail sentence

A motorist detained by gardai for suspected drunk driving lost four of his teeth in what was described in Dublin Circuit Civil…

A motorist detained by gardai for suspected drunk driving lost four of his teeth in what was described in Dublin Circuit Civil Court yesterday as "a development" in the Garda station.

Mr Gerry Charleton, counsel for Mr Paul Ainscough, Walkinstown Park, Dublin, told Judge Alison Lindsay his client was appealing against combined sentences of 15 months' imprisonment on the drunk driving charge, breach of the peace and assault on the gardai. Mr Charleton said he was seeking an adjournment to allow for updated medical reports on Mr Ainscough and the Garda custody records in relation to his detention in September 1997. Mr Ainscough (48) maintained he had been subjected to unreasonable force in Garda custody whereupon he had lost four teeth and had been subjected to serious injury. Mr Charleton said Mr Ainscough had made a complaint to the Garda Complaints Board. Judge Lindsay granted an adjournment until June 10th.