A FARM worker found asleep at the wheel of his truck while above the drink drive limit had the engine revving loudly because his foot was stuck on the accelerator.
William Alexander Killick, who was found parked in the middle of Knighton in the early hours of April 23, asleep at the wheel of his silver Mitsubishi Shogun, told magistrates this week he was “extremely tired” at the end of lambing season.
The 41-year-old admitted a charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit - which is a different offence to drink driving - when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 30.
Killick was found in Knighton High Street by a member of the public, who removed the keys from the ignition, and the police were called.
“PC Gee and Sergeant Buckley were in Knighton town centre and found the defendant asleep at the wheel of his Shogun,” said prosecutor Rebecca Ross.
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“A member of the public said they saw a male approach and remove the key as the engine had originally been turned on and was revving very loudly. The defendant was asleep at the wheel with his foot pressed on the accelerator.
“There was a smell of intoxicating liquor and he was slurring his words. He provided a positive roadside test and was arrested.”
The reading provided by Killick was 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.
Ms Ross said Killick had two previous convictions for drink driving, both in 2015. “There are aggravating factors in that he has previous convictions and the suggestion is there was a high likelihood of him driving while under the influence.”
Representing himself, Killick, of The Buzzards, Kingsland, between Presteigne and Leominster, told the court he was a farm worker.
“The facts sound accurate,” he said. “It was the end of lambing time, I was extremely tired.”
Magistrates heard he had a clean licence and is reliant upon it for work.
He was disqualified for three months and ordered to pay a £200 fine. He must also pay £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.
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