A MOTORIST has been banned from the road for 15 months after he collided with a van while over the legal drink drive limit.

Graham Small, 56, was involved in a crash with a tipper van on the A44 near the Fforest Inn, between Llanfihangel-nant-Melan and Llandegley, on April 24, while driving a blue Honda Jazz.

He pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 11.

Prosecutor Scott McCrimmon said: “The accident occurred around 5.30pm with PC Evans and PC Dicks alerted to a two-vehicle accident, between a blue Honda Jazz and a tipper van.

“The driver of the Jazz was the defendant. He was sat on the side of the road talking to a member of the public when police arrived. A roadside breath test was positive and he was arrested.”

Mr McCrimmon said Small had no previous convictions.

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A reading at the police station following his arrest showed Small to have 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Representing himself, Small, of Ryelands Grove, Leominster, handed in a letter he had written to magistrates and also presented references.

“I’ve said everything I need to in the letter,” he said. When asked further questions by magistrates he said he had elderly relatives in his family, including his mother who is in care and who he visits regularly.

Small was disqualified for 15 months but he can reduce this by 25 per cent if he successfully completes a drink drive rehabilitation course. He was fined £500 and must also pay £85 costs and a £50 surcharge.