A MOTORIST seen by police “swerving across the carriageway” was found to be more than double the drink drive limit.

Ioan Jones, 32, was banned from driving for three years by magistrates sitting in Welshpool this week – they described it as a mandatory disqualification due to the fact he had been convicted of drug driving three years ago.

Appearing at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 22, the bench heard Jones had been in a “downward spiral” at the time due to the break-up of a relationship with his partner.

Jones, of Abertidwr, Llanwddyn, admitted a charge of drink driving relating to the night of October 29. Prosecutor Helen Tench said he was pulled over near Caersws driving a Peugeot Partner van.

“It was just before midnight when PC Donovan was on patrol on the A489 at Penstrowed, when he observed a vehicle swerving across the carriageway,” said Mrs Tench.

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“It was driving completely on the offside carriageway before crossing back to the other, it was also cutting corners.

“The vehicle was stopped and the driver spoken too, his eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred. He was also unsteady on his feet. He provided a positive test and was arrested.”

Mrs Tench said the lower reading provided by Jones was 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

She added that Jones had a relative previous conviction.

Acting for Jones, Paul Inns said his client had been convicted of drug driving in December 2019.

“He has limited previous convictions but there is one relevant one, so he is facing a three-year minimum ban,” said Mr Inns.

“It had been a bad couple of weeks for him.

“On this occasion he pulled into a layby, he consumed alcohol and made the decision to drive a short distance to go to sleep. While doing this he was stopped by the police.

“He has voluntarily referred himself to Kaleidoscope, so he is taking steps to address his offending behaviour."

Mr Inns said there was a possibility that Jones’ employment as a farm worker and tractor driver could be impacted.

Magistrates handed Jones a three-year ban but they did offer him the drink drive course, so he will be able to reduce this by 36 weeks if he completes it.

He was also fined £400 fine and must pay a £160 surcharge and £85 costs.