A Belgian man was acquitted of drunk driving this Monday (22) because he suffers from intestinal fermentation syndrome (ABS), a rare condition in which the body produces alcohol, his defense said.
Lawyer Anse Ghesquiere told Reuters that, “in another unfortunate coincidence”, her client works in a brewery, but three doctors who independently examined him confirmed that he suffers from the syndrome.
According to the Belgian press, the judge emphasized in the verdict that the defendant, whose name was not disclosed, following local judicial custom, did not show symptoms of intoxication.
The Bruges police court, which acquitted the man, did not respond to an email sent by Reuters at first.
Lisa Florin, a clinical biologist at the Belgian hospital AZ Sint-Lucas, explained that people with the condition produce the same type of alcohol as alcoholic drinks, but generally feel its effects less.
She further added that people are not born with the syndrome, but can develop it when they already suffer from other gut-related conditions.
Source: CNN Brasil
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