Man Acquitted of Drink-Driving Charge Due to Rare Auto-Brewery Syndrome
Overview
In a unique case, a 40-year-old man was found to have auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), a rare metabolic condition that causes fermentation of carbohydrates in the stomach, leading to elevated ethanol levels in the blood.
Case Details
- A Belgian court dismissed a drink-driving charge against the man after confirming his ABS condition.
- ABS results in the production of alcohol in the body, causing signs of intoxication without actual alcohol consumption.
- Only around 20 cases of ABS have been officially diagnosed worldwide, indicating its rarity.
Court Proceedings
The man provided evidence of his ABS through medical tests conducted by three doctors, leading to his acquittal.
Incident Description
The man’s vehicle was stopped by police in April 2022, and he was charged with drink-driving based on high alcohol readings in his breath.
Legal Limit in Belgium
In Belgium, the legal alcohol limit for driving is 0.22 milligrams per litre of exhaled air, equivalent to a blood-alcohol level of 0.5 grammes per litre.
Man’s Response
Despite previous legal issues related to ABS, the man was unaware of his condition until his recent encounter with the police.
He has since adopted a low-carb diet to reduce alcohol production in his body.
Future Proceedings
The man and his lawyer are awaiting formal notification of his acquittal and are prepared for any potential appeals by the prosecution service.