Lengthy ban for Powys man after third drink drive offence

Self-employed builder Timothy Croft, 57, was stropped by police after being seen to clip the kerb near the Newtown bypass on October 8.

He admitted a charge of drink driving when appearing at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 31.

Prosecutor Rebecca Kuipers said Croft was driving a Ford Transit van on the A489 towards Kerry in the early hours of October 8.

“It was around 1.10am when PC Davies was on duty, following a vehicle from Newtown to Kerry,” said Ms Kuipers.

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“The officer noticed the vehicle was driving very slowly. As it drove round a roundabout, it clipped the nearside carriageway.

“The officer signalled for it to stop, the defendant was the only occupant. He asked the defendant if he’d been drinking and he said he’d drunk three pints of bitter.

“He smelt of alcohol, his speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed.”

Ms Kuipers said Croft had two previous convictions for drink driving, in 2012 and 2017. The 2017 offence aggravates the most recent offence due to having been committed within a 10-year period.

Croft’s level of alcohol in his system was 59 micrograms – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Representing Croft, of Hill Crest, Llanmerewig, near Newtown, Rob Hanratty said: “He realises he should have known far better than to be persuaded to have a few extra drinks after work.

“He was open and honest with police.”

Magistrates disqualified Croft for 40 months but they did offer him the chance to reduce the ban by 40 weeks if he completes a drink drive rehabilitation programme. He was fined £400 and must also pay a £160 surcharge and £85 costs.