Belgian man whose body creates alcohol beats drink-driving charge
- Belgian man acquitted of drink-driving because he suffers from auto-brewery syndrome
- It is a rare condition whereby the body produces alcohol, but no symptoms of intoxication
A Belgian man with a very rare metabolic condition that causes his body to produce alcohol had a drink-driving charge against him dismissed in court on Monday.
The 40-year-old proved he has auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), which causes carbohydrates in his stomach to be fermented, increasing ethanol levels in his blood and resulting in signs of intoxication.
His lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere, confirmed the unusual case to Agence France-Presse after Belgian media reported on it.
She said scientists believe that the number of ABS cases in the world is underestimated. Currently, only some 20 people globally have been officially diagnosed with the condition.
She stressed that her client – whose identity was not given – gave evidence of his ABS after tests run by three doctors.
The court recognised that factors unforeseen by law applied to the man’s case and acquitted him of the charge.