A DRINK driver seen swerving and clipping a ditch in Newtown has been banned from the road for nearly two years.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard last week that Androl Basil Dean Jr, from Abermule, would lose his job – he was previously employed as a driver – due to the 22-month ban he was handed.

Dean, 32, was seen by police driving erratically in Newtown town centre in the early hours of April 30. He admitted one charge of drink driving at a hearing on Tuesday, May 16.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Dean was observed driving a Renault Clio on the A489 Newtown to Kerry road by officers.

“It was 12.30am, officers were on patrol and observed a vehicle at traffic lights; when the light turned green the vehicle went into a filtered lane which was on green but it stopped,” said Mrs Tench.

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“It was then observed swerving, clipping a ditch and moving to the centre lane repeatedly. Officers stopped the driver and could smell alcohol.

“The defendant was driving and told officers ‘You’ve got me bang to rights, I know I’m going to be arrested’.

“When the breathalyser came out he became increasingly anxious. He told officers ‘I know what I’ve done, I might have lost my job’. He told them he had drunk five beers."

Dean provided a reading of 79 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 25 micrograms.

Rob Hanratty, representing Dean, said: “He made a rash decision.

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“He had been trying to get a taxi for about 15-20 minutes. He hadn’t drunk for about an hour so thought he was okay to drive. It was very naïve.

“He was very polite and cooperative at the roadside, which isn’t the case with everyone. He has been working as a driver but will lose that job as a consequence, although he has an interview this week for another job, so he isn’t a lazy person."

Magistrates disqualified Dean from driving for 22 months, but he can reduce the ban if he completes a drink drive rehabilitation course.

They fined him £120 and told him to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.