A drink driver seen stumbling from a Newtown pub crashed into a nearby public toilet after being chased by police.

Darren Byrne was seen leaving from the Castle Vaults pub and crossing Broad Street pointing his keys at his car at around 2.20am on Saturday, April 16.

As officers approached the Toyota Avensis, Byrne, who was sitting in the driver's seat, "panicked" and drove off at speed towards Shortbridge Street.

Police constable Price ran after the car followed by other officers in their police vehicles. They found the abandoned Toyota had collided with the Gravel car park toilets, causing "extensive" damage. Officers found Byrne trying to hide behind the building.

The Churchstoke man was given a 19-month ban from driving after pleading guilty to drink driving at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Helen Tench told the court: "Someone could have been injured. It was a deliberate attempt to avoid the police. It was an unacceptable driving."

A breath test found that Byrne was more than twice over the drink drive limit after 79 micrograms of alcohol was found in his breath; the legal limit is 35.

Paul Inns, defending, said Byrne had gone into Newtown town centre to do some shopping at the Spar store where he bumped into a friend who suggested to go for a few drinks.

The court heard that Byrne "felt fine" after leaving the Castle Vaults but "simply panicked" when police approached his car.

"He missed the corner and collided with the building. He knew he was in the wrong. His intention was to go to the car park and sleep it off," Mr Inns said.

The court was told that a driving disqualification would have a "huge impact" on the construction worker.

Mr Inns said: "Sadly, he will lose his job as a consequence of this. He will also lose his home because he will not able to afford it. There's the added expense to pay for the damage to the building and car.

"Inevitably he’s going to face financial hardship. It's been a difficult few months for him. One hopes he gets his life back on track."

Magistrates gave Byrne, of Lake Farm, Churchstoke, a 19-month driving disqualification and ordered him to pay a £120 fine, £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Rebecca Klug, chair, told Byrne: "We have taken account of the manner in which you drove off which made it a lot more dangerous and could have ended badly but we are taking into account that you are a sole carer."