A Belgian man found himself acquitted of drunk driving charges this Monday, as his lawyer revealed he suffers from a rare medical condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), wherein the body produces alcohol internally. The defendant’s legal representative, Anse Ghesquiere, disclosed to Reuters that the man, whose identity remains undisclosed per local judicial norms, coincidentally works at a brewery.
Ghesquiere highlighted the unusual circumstance but stressed that three separate medical examinations confirmed her client’s diagnosis of ABS. The verdict, reported by Belgian media, underscored the judge’s emphasis on the lack of observable signs of intoxication in the defendant.
Efforts to reach the Bruges police court, responsible for the acquittal, for comment on the matter were met with no immediate response to inquiries from Reuters.
Offering insight into ABS, Lisa Florin, a clinical biologist at the Belgian hospital AZ Sint-Lucas, explained that individuals with this condition produce alcohol akin to that found in alcoholic beverages. However, she noted that they typically experience reduced effects from the alcohol. Florin further clarified that ABS is not a congenital condition but rather develops in individuals with pre-existing intestinal disorders.
The case not only sheds light on the complexities surrounding legal matters concerning rare medical conditions but also underscores the importance of understanding such conditions in the justice system.
