A 63-YEAR-OLD man who had been taking his neighbours to and from hospital for free has been disqualified from driving for almost a year and a half.
Brian Frazer, of Ithon Close, Llandrindod Wells, admitted driving while above the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Llandrindod Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 28.
Stephen Davies, prosecuting, told the court that at 5.40pm on Monday, June 4, PC Wilson was in a marked police car when he stopped a Vauxhall Vectra on High Street in Llandrindod. The driver got out and the officer could smell intoxicants on his breath.
Frazer was taken to Brecon Police Station where he gave multiple breath tests, the lower of which was 69 microgrammes in 100ml of breath (the limit is 35 microgrammes).
Colonel Timothy Van Rees, mitigating, said the retired Frazer had a full clean driving licence and had been using his car for the benefit of neighbours and friends to take them hospital appointments.
“It kept him in touch with people and he very seldom asked for petrol money,” Colonel Van Rees said.
“On the day in question he had taken someone to a hospital appointment and they had offered him a drink when he returned home. That turned into a couple more drinks.”
Colonel Van Rees described what followed as ‘inadvertance’ and ‘ignorance’ and said Frazer had an excellent driving record and had fully cooperated with police.
Magistrates said the court has no discretion in cases of drink driving and fined Frazer £200. He must also pay £85 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and will be disqualified from driving for 17 months.