A POWYS man told police officers he’d had “a barney with the missus” after they found him parked in a layby late at night and discovered he was over the drink drive limit.

Joshua Jones, 25, was found sat in his VW Golf in a layby near Newtown just after midnight on February 4. Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, March 21, that Jones was seen “swaying” by officers when he got out of the vehicle.

Jones, of The Frolic, Abermule, admitted one charge of drink driving at the hearing.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said police found Jones on an unclassified road between Aberbechan and Dolforwyn, just outside Newtown.

“It was 12.30am, officers were on patrol and their attention was drawn to the headlights of a car parked in layby on an unclassified road,” she said.

“The defendant was in the vehicle and on his own. When he got out, he was swaying. A positive roadside test was provided and he was arrested. He admitted he’d consumed alcohol then drove.

“He said he’d “had a barney with the missus” and had driven to the location where he was found.”

A reading at the police station showed there to be 51 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of Jones’ breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Acting for Jones, Rob Hanratty said his client was originally arrested for being drunk in charge of a vehicle, but he had been honest with officers and admitted driving.

“He is a young man of good character and very hard-working,” said Mr Hanratty, who handed to the court a letter from Jones’ employer.

“He was arrested for being drunk in charge as he hadn’t been seen driving. He was very honest with the police and admitted he’d been driving.

“He operates machinery as part of his job as a civil engineer and his driving licence is essential. I would ask you to keep the ban to a minimum.”

Magistrates banned Jones for 12 months and ordered him to pay a £500 fine. He must also pay a £200 surcharge and £85 costs.

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