A man who drove at 3am after drinking the previous evening has lost his licence.

Thomas John Bradley, of Ithon View, Llandrindod Wells, admitted drink driving at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Stephen Davies, prosecuting, told the court that police saw a Skoda Octavia driving on the A483 at Crossgates in the early hours of February 5.

Believing the car to be speeding, they followed it to Ithon View and pulled it over.

Bradley, 33, was behind the wheel and the police officers could smell alcohol.

A breath test revealed Bradley had 45 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, above the legal limit of 35.

The court also heard that Bradley had a similar conviction in 2003 for which he received a driving ban.

Jayne Thomas, defending, said Bradley had been drinking alcohol before going to bed but was confident that he would no longer be over the limit.

“He was only getting in the car to go and collect his son later on that morning," said Ms Thomas.

“He genuinely thought he was fine to drive. He certainly would not have gone to collect his child if he thought that he was over the limit."

She added: “The loss of his licence will mean losing his job which will be devastating."

Bradley was banned from driving for 14 months, which could be reduced by 25 per cent if he completes a drink drive rehabilitation course, and was fined £360. He was also told to pay £85 costs and a £36 surcharge.