In October, the 42 year old alderman, brother to cyclists Fränk and Andy, had been stopped by police for an alcohol check. The breathaliser test revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.274.
The alcohol check happened just two days before the general election, in which he was a candidate for the Green party.
According to Schleck's lawyer, his client had been celebrating in Altwies to thank his team for their electoral campaign. Apparently, he had drunk a Ricard, but had consumed nothing else. Only 500 metres away from the pub, he ran into a police alcohol check.
At no point did the politician deny the facts of what happened that night or try to contest or hide anything. His lawyer stressed that his client is dependent on his license in order to drive to construction sites and attend political meetings.
Steve Schleck expressed his deep regret about the whole issue and stated that he has learnt his lesson. His license, which had been confiscated in October, was returned to him in January. His lawyer said that the three month driving ban from October to January should be considered punishment enough and called for any further ban to be on a probationary basis. A further question is whether, in case of a prolonged driving ban, journeys made for political reasons would also fall under said ban.
On Friday morning, the oldest of the Schleck brothers did not say much in court, other than stating that his license had been returned to him and reiterating that he needed his car to attend to his political obligations and to drive his children back and forth.
The court representative suggested that the elevated BAC makes it unlikely that the defendant had only consumed a glass of wine and a Ricard. In any case, the charges of drink driving were not to be dropped. She therefore suggests a driving ban of a 28 month duration, with the potential for part of this being on a probationary basis, and a suitable fine.
The verdict is scheduled for 19 February.
