A BUILTH Wells man has been banned from the roads for 16 months after he drove to pick up his partner because she could not get a taxi home.
Paul Edward Powell, 45, who had been drinking earlier in the day on Saturday, November 11, was stopped by police on Builth’s Church Street just after midnight on November 12 and found to be over the drink drive limit.
He admitted drink driving when appearing at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 6.
Prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright said police pulled Powell’s white Citroen C3 over after witnessing it reversing up a one-way street.
She said: “PC Page was on mobile patrol at around 12.30am. On Smithfield Road, the officer saw a white Citroen reversing on the main road, up a one-way street, and then saw it drive towards him.
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“He illuminated the lights and pulled it over. He asked the defendant how much he’d had to drink, and he said he’d had a pint two hours ago.”
He was breathalysed and arrested when it proved positive. A station reading showed there to be 58 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Jess Smith, representing the defendant, of Noyadd Sharmon Barn, Maesmynis, Builth, said he had gone to pick up his partner who had rung him “in distress”.
“He was fully cooperative at the time of his arrest and at the police station,” said Ms Smith.
“On the previous day he went to watch rugby in Builth, had a few pints then got a lift home with his dad.
“Later, his girlfriend called him in distress, saying she couldn’t get a taxi home following a night out. He decided to drive down and pick her up, then he was stopped by police.”
She added: “He didn’t drive down a one-way street, he slightly reversed on to a one-way street.
“Mr Powell is a hard-working local hill farmer, who has 12,000 chickens and 800 sheep. He is worried how he’ll continue without a licence. Their livelihood depends on him as he needs to drive to get feed and supplies.
“He also runs a building company, employing staff, and his ban will have a knock-on effect on his employees.”
Powell was banned for 16 months but he can reduce this if he completes a drink driving awareness course.
Magistrates also fined him £500 and told him to pay a £200 surcharge and £85 costs.
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