A POWYS teen who crashed his car while over the drink drive limit has been banned from the roads – but was cleared of another charge of possessing a knife.

William Glyn Power, 19, overturned his red Suzuki Alto in Cilmery, near Builth Wells, on December 17 last year.

He admitted drink driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court in January, but denied possessing a bladed article, namely a lock knife, after one was found in his vehicle.

Magistrates found him not guilty at his trial on Wednesday, February 28, believing the apprentice carpenter had a “justifiable reason” for having the knife in the vehicle, as he uses it for work.

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Prosecutor James Sprunks said police were called following a report of an accident on the A483 in Cilmery, made by a member of the public, just after midnight.

Power was found nearby and was said to be slurring his words and smelt of alcohol. A roadside breath test was positive and he admitted he had been drinking, with multiple empty beer cans found in the vehicle.

A test revealed there to be 71 micrograms of alcohol in Power’s breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms. 

Mr Sprunks said Power, of Hospital Road, Builth, had been described as in “very good spirits” when police arrived, and he had suffered no injuries.

“He admitted to PC Aimee Dix and PC Katie Wakeley that he had been drinking,” said Mr Sprunks.

“There were multiple cans inside the vehicle which was overturned. He was conveyed to Brecon and a lock knife was located inside the vehicle. He admitted the knife was his, he says he uses it for work.”

Defending the teen, Gareth Walters told the court: “He uses the knife in work, for cutting brick packs, plastic sheeting, sharpening pencils and the like.

“The big issue seems to be about where the knife is found in the vehicle, but I would say that is irrelevant.

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“The defendant needs to give you a reason for having it in the car. There were also mole grips and a high vis vest found in car; the knife is no different to those items."

Chair of the bench, Simon Green, said: “The onus is on the defence to show reasonable excuse, and after considering the evidence we believe there was a justifiable reason to have it (the knife) in the vehicle, and therefore we find the defendant not guilty.”

Power, who was handed an interim driving ban in January, will be disqualified from driving for 20 months; he can reduce this by completing a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was fined £250 and told to pay £85 costs, as well as a £100 surcharge.