A Belgian man appeared in court on Monday to contest a drink-driving charge against him. The 40-year-old was able to prove that he suffers from a rare metabolic condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). This condition causes carbohydrates in his stomach to ferment, leading to increased ethanol levels in his blood and symptoms of intoxication. His lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere, confirmed the unique case after it was reported in Belgian media.
Ghesquiere stated that ABS cases are believed to be under-estimated, with only around 20 people globally officially diagnosed with the condition. The man’s identity was not disclosed, but he provided evidence of his ABS through tests conducted by three doctors. Due to unforeseen factors related to his condition, the court decided to acquit him of the charge.
The man first came to the attention of the authorities in April 2022 when he was pulled over by police and found to have high alcohol levels in his breath. This led to a subsequent incident a month later where he again registered elevated alcohol levels. Despite denying that he had consumed any alcohol, he was fined and had his driving license suspended in 2019.
The man had been unaware of his condition until his encounters with law enforcement. His lawyer mentioned that both she and her client were waiting for formal notification of the acquittal, and that the prosecution had the option to appeal within a month. To manage his ABS, the man was following a diet low in carbohydrates to prevent his body from producing alcohol.
During his court appearance in March, the prosecutor advised him to abstain from alcohol. The man’s case highlights the complexities of managing rare medical conditions in the legal system.