Caravan escort driver will lose job after drink driving

Alex Ringrose, 30, will lose his job as a caravan escort driver, Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, April 2.

He admitted one charge of drink driving in Newtown on March 16.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said police stopped Ringrose driving at around midnight as they believed they saw him wheel-spinning in his Ford Fiesta.

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“PCs Garrett and Price saw a significant amount of smoke in the Back Lane area of Newtown and thought the driver had been wheel spinning,” said Mrs Tench.

“They stopped the vehicle and the defendant smelt of alcohol. His eyes were glazed and his pupils dilated, and his speech was slightly slurred.”

Mrs Tench said Ringrose had no previous convictions.

The defendant, of Pendinas, Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, provided a reading of 53 micrograms of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.  

Acting for Ringrose, Paul Inns said his client had been fully cooperative with the police.

“He’d been to visit a mate, who was having family issues,” Mr Inns said.

“He drank three bottles of Bulmers and felt fine to drive. He was driving home; the reference to the smoke was not down to his driving, it’s down to the car. It was cold and has been in and out of garage.

“He is a caravan escort driver and will lose his job as a result of this offence.”

Ringrose was disqualified from driving for 15 months, which he can reduce by completing a drink drive awareness course.

He was fined £600 and must pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.