NY man who had post-DWI court beer gets prison

A central New York man who popped open a beer just after a court appearance for drunken driving has been sentenced to prison.

Eugene Havens was arrested last November on multiple drunken driving charges in Herkimer County in the Mohawk Valley. During a county court hearing in January, Havens was told by the judge that he wasn't permitted to drive a motor vehicle while his case was being resolved.

Havens was released on his own recognizance. Authorities say after leaving the court he walked to a vehicle in the parking lot, pulled out a beer, opened it, urinated on the ground, got behind the wheel and drove off.

Soon after he was stopped by Herkimer police, arrested and returned to court.

Havens was sentenced Thursday to two to six years in prison for DWI.