A builder who wanted to go the seaside with his dog to clear his head has been banned from driving after he refused to give police a breath sample at McDonald's in Newtown.

Zennan Wilschere, 26, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, had travelled in his work's van when he stopped at the popular fast-food restaurant near Pool Road on Saturday, May 11.

Police turned up after receiving a tip-off about Wilschere's driving and asked him for a breath sample.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court banned Wilschere from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a £416 fine after pleading guilty to failing to provide a specimen, driving without third-party insurance and possessing four grams of cannabis in the van.

Prosecutor Helen Hall told the court it was a "deliberate refusal with no explanation given", adding that the cannabis was for personal.

Robert Hanratty, acting for Wilschere, said: "Firstly, the defendant was using his work's vehicle for social and domestic purpose, he did have a policy but not for this particular use.

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"On the day in question, he was in a fairly low mood and wanted to get away from where he was living. He was on his way to the coast.

"Officers don't give an indication that his driving was significantly impaired.

"He offers an apology and I ask you to bear in mind that he accepts behaving recklessly taking the vehicle for this purpose. He just wanted to go the seaside with his dog. He wanted some down time and wanted to go away.

"He apologises to the police. He felt an air of panic and thought it was more appropriate not to co-operate. He was more worried about the dog which was being looked after by the police.

"He has had unpleasant experiences with officials as a child."