A MAN who went for a drive because he couldn’t sleep has admitted being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.
Andrew Rowson, 43, had initially denied the offence at a previous hearing at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court, but he changed his mind this week.
Rowson, of Corporation Street, Bishop’s Castle, had drunk a few beers while parked up in the Co-op car park in Churchstoke on August 31.
Police arrived and arrested him after he failed a breath test.
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Rowson provided a reading of 40 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, just exceeding the prescribed limit, which is 35 micrograms.
He denied the offence in September but entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, December 2.
“Officers came across a parked vehicle, with the keys in the ignition,” said prosecutor Helen Tench.
“Alcohol was smelt on the defendant, who was slurring his words. He was arrested and admitted it was his intention to drive home.”
Rob Hanratty, defending Rowson, said: “He is a driver by trade. On this evening, he couldn’t sleep, he felt restless and felt if he went for a drive it would clear his head.
“He went to Churchstoke and parked in a car park. Maybe it was a bit of an obvious and strange place to go.
“He consumed some beer, hoping it would help him sleep. He admitted he had no strategy. Half an hour later he would have been under the limit.
“Very rarely do you come across someone who’s been as up front and honest about this as he has.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for two weeks, so that Rowson has time to put together an exceptional hardship argument.
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