A POWYS engineer described as “very active” in his community has lost his driving licence after he decided to give a friend a lift after drinking.

Andrew Turner, 37, entered a guilty plea to drink driving in Newtown on March 24 this week.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, April 9, that Turner was stopped when police officers spotted faulty lights on his Citreon Xsara Picasso in Newtown in the early hours of the morning.

Prosecutor Helen Hall said the incident happened in the Lon Maesycoed area of the town.

“It was the early hours, around 1.30am,” said Ms Hall.

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“PC Evans was on mobile patrol at Lon Maesycoed and could see that a Citroen Picasso had two faulty lights.

“He stopped the defendant, who smelt of intoxicants. A roadside test was positive and he was arrested.”

A lower reading provided by Turner measured 51 micrograms of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.  

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Rob Hanratty, acting for Turner, of Pen y Banc, Oakley Park, Llandinam, said: “He had been with a friend and had no intention of driving, but he was then asked to give someone a lift.

“Mr Turner is an engineer and lives in a remote location. He is a very active man in his community and that is about to come to an end.”

Magistrates disqualified Turner for 12 months – a ban he can reduce by a quarter if he completes a drink drive awareness course.

He also has to pay a £420 fine, £168 surcharge and £85 costs.