A FATHER-of-three who crashed into a neighbour’s car when he was drunk as he was returning home has been disqualified from driving for three years.

Darryl Blake Harrison, 29, was double the legal drink drive limit when he crashed his Vauxhall Vivaro in the early hours of August 27 in Talgarth.

Harrison received a mandatory three-year ban at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week, because he had recently been given a ban for drug driving in 2021.

Harrison had originally denied drink driving and the matter had been set to go to trial, but he changed his plea to guilty at court on Wednesday, December 6.

Prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright said the incident happened outside Harrison’s Queens Avenue home at around 1.20am on August 27.

“Police received a report from a woman who said her neighbour had crashed into her car; he seemed to be under the influence,” said Ms Cartwright.

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“He had then parked his car outside his address and walked off.

“Police spoke to her partner, who said he had been woken up by a loud bang. He had looked out the window and saw the defendant’s vehicle rolling away from his Seat Leon.

“The defendant then drove off and the witness heard another massive bang; he believed he may have hit something else.

“He said the defendant offered to pay for the damage, then walked off. He was found by police later and arrested.”

Ms Cartwright said Harrison originally claimed the alcohol in his system had been due to post-driving consumption.

A reading provided by Harrison showed there to be 71 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35.

Defending Harrison, Owain Jones said: “This was classed as a road traffic accident but the damage is a slight bump to the bodywork. It has been rectified and the defendant’s insurance paid for it.

“He accepts wrongdoing, admissions were made last week, so I hope you will give him credit. He is sorry for the offence.

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“He is a father of three and his children regularly have hospital appointments. There have been ambulance callouts in the past so losing his licence is a pressing concern.

“He is a self-employed mechanic and he’s a mobile mechanic so he often goes out to the job.”

Magistrates banned Harrison for three years, but he can reduce this period by completing a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay a £450 fine, a £180 surcharge and £150 costs.