A DRIVER crashed into a parked car in Newtown while more than double the drink drive limit.

Stephen Baxter was seen hitting the parked car by a witness during the incident, which occurred outside her place of work, on November 22 last year.

Baxter, 59, admitted one charge of drink driving when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 24.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the incident happened just after 3pm, with Baxter driving a Renault Kangoo on Heol Vastre, Newtown.

“Police had a call from a witness who had seen a vehicle collide with a parked car outside her workplace,” said Mrs Tench.

“The defendant reversed and when she approached him, he smelt of alcohol. She went to get her manager and called the police. Sergeant Hamer arrived and also smelt alcohol."

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Mrs Tench said a roadside breath test proved positive, with a reading at the police station revealing there to be 94 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of Baxter’s breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Rob Hanratty, acting for Baxter, of Heulfryn, Aberangell, near Machynlleth, said his client had been very cooperative with police at the scene.

“He has significant health issues,” said Mr Hanratty.

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“He had been drinking and was unaware of the effects of alcohol. He has previous offences but they are of some antiquity.”

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and heard from probation officer Oliver Heard, who said Baxter was “very remorseful”.

“His mental health was very poor at the time of this offence but he does not use that as an excuse,” said Mr Heard.

“He has been sporadically engaging with Kaleidoscope but uses it (alcohol) to cope with his mental health."

Magistrates disqualified Baxter from driving for 23 months. They also ordered him to comply with a 12-month community order, which will include 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours' unpaid work.

He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.