A Belgian man was acquitted of drunk driving because his body produces alcohol

A Belgian man was acquitted of drink-driving on Monday because he suffered from intestinal fermentation syndrome (ABS), a rare condition in which the body produces alcohol, a Belgian defense said.

Lawyer Anse Ghesquière told Reuters that “in another unfortunate coincidence,” her client works in a brewery, but three doctors who examined him independently confirmed that he suffers from the syndrome.

According to the Belgian press, the judge confirmed in the ruling that the accused, whose name was not revealed according to local judicial custom, did not show symptoms of poisoning.

The Bruges Police Court, which acquitted the man, did not initially respond to an email sent by Reuters.

Lisa Florin, a clinical biologist at the Belgian Hospital AZ Sint-Lucas, explained that people with this condition produce the same type of alcohol as alcoholic drinks, but they generally feel its effects less.

He also added that people are not born with the syndrome, but can develop it when they already suffer from other conditions related to the intestines.