A POWYS man who told officers he only had one pint has been banned from driving after he was found to be over the limit.

Mark David Moretti, aged 60, was arrested after being stopped on the way to his remote home between Llandrindod Wells and Newtown on March 14.

He provided a reading of 43 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, April 2, that Moretti used alcohol to self-medicate as he suffers with mental health issues.

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Moretti, of Fferm Canol, Llaithddu, admitted drink driving at the hearing. He was driving a Fiat Panda along Upper Dolfor Road, Newtown, when he was pulled over by police at about 8pm.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “PC Gates was following the defendant. He was stopped over his manner of driving. He said to the officer he had one pint of lager.”

Paul Inns, mitigating, said: “The report received was over the standard of his driving, but police said he was driving in accordance with the conditions, but sadly he was over the limit.

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“He has brought a letter from Ponthafren. Regarding his mental health issues, he self-medicates through alcohol.

“A ban will have a significant impact, given where he lives and the services he requires. He has some reservations complying with a drink driving rehabilitation course, given his issues.”

Magistrates banned Moretti for 12 months and did offer him the chance to attend a rehabilitation course. He was fined £80 and must also pay a £32 surcharge and £85 costs.