A Guilsfield man who had been “tempted for a drink” after lockdown has been disqualified from driving for 19 months after he was caught twice over the drink drive limit.

Keith Maurice Bebb, 62, admitted driving an Audi M4 car while above the alcohol limit when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 8.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said that at just before 9pm on May 12, a member of the public told police that they suspected a man was drink driving opposite the Derwen Garden Centre near Guilsfield. Officers found the vehicle and could smell alcohol.

A breath test found Bebb had 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres. The legal limit is 35.

Robert Hanratty, defending, told the court that Bebb had “popped out for cigarettes and was tempted for a drink after lockdown”. He added that he was “comfortably” over the drink drive limit and that it was “something of an aberration for him” adding that during the last 10 years he has “turned his life around”.

Mr Hanratty described Bebb as a “fine footballer” and a 15,000m champion and that it was a “shame” to see him struggling with mobility issues.

Magistrates banned Bebb, of Rhallt Drive, from driving for 19 months and offered him to undertake a drink drive rehabilitation course. He was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £34 victim surcharge and £85 costs.