Chorister drove after joking with off-duty officer about drink driving

John Douglas Thomas, from Crossgates, made jokes about driving home with the off-duty officer, who had been drinking in the same pub as him on March 10.

Thomas, 65, did attempt to drive home but was prevented from doing so by the officer. Police were called and he was arrested after providing a positive roadside breath test.

He was banned from driving for 14 months after admitting a charge of drink driving at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week.

Thomas, driving a Skoda, was found to have 54 micrograms of alcohol in his breath when he was tested by police – the legal driving limit is 35 micrograms.

OTHER NEWS:

• Powys man avoids immediate jail for violent attack on ex's stepfather
• Royal Welsh Show's horticulture section axed due to “extreme financial challenges”
• Driving ban for man caught speeding at 120mph on A483 near Welshpool

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the incident happened in the Lindens Walk area of Llandrindod.

“An off-duty officer had spoken to the defendant, who initially had been making jokes about driving home despite the number of drinks he had,” said Ms Vaughan at the hearing, on Wednesday, April 12.

“He was challenged later on as he did drive home.”

She said Thomas had no prior convictions.

Acting for the defendant, of Yew Tree Close, Crossgates, Paul Lewis said his client was ashamed of his actions.

“He is a man of 65 with no previous convictions,” said Mr Lewis.

“He had attended choir practice and then gone to the pub. He was encouraging people to sing having warmed himself up with some drinks.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Powys? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the ‘Morning Briefing’ and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.

“He had a conversation with an off-duty officer who left at the same time and saw him going to his car. The officer made a call and prevented him from leaving.

“He had only driven the car a matter of metres but accepted he had one or two too many. He was only making a short trip home.

“The impact of a ban is going to be significant. He is an electrician who has built up his business from a young man and now employs 60 people.

“He travels to get new business, he was in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, yesterday. He has shown no histrionics, he will accept his fate.

“He is very sorry and ashamed he’s now blotted his character.”

In addition to being disqualified, Thomas was fined £440. He must also pay a £176 surcharge and £85 costs.

He will be allowed to reduce the length of his ban after magistrates offered him the chance to attend a drink driving awareness course.