A MAN described as an active member of his Powys community has been banned from driving after he was found to be over the drink drive limit on his way to a friend’s house following a football match.
Joshua Watson, 32, had been watching Radnor Valley play in the Radnorshire Cup final against Builth Wells in Presteigne on Friday, May 17, and was pulled over by police in the early hours of the following morning.
Watson, of Court of Gladestry, Gladestry, admitted one charge of drink driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 5.
Prosecutor James Ashton said Watson was seen by police officers to take a sharp turn down a side road in Presteigne in the early hours of May 18.
Driving a Nissan Navarra, they pulled him over on Castle Road and arrested him after he provided a positive roadside breath test.
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“It was the early hours when police stopped the defendant,” said Mr Ashton.
“They saw him take a sharp turn down a side road. They smelt alcohol and found a number of empty cans of alcohol in the vehicle.
“A roadside test was positive and he was arrested.”
The lower reading provided by Watson was 48 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Acting for the defendant, Peter Wilcox-Jones said his client was “deeply ashamed and sorry” for the incident.
“He had been supporting Radnor Valley Football Club in Presteigne and drove half a mile from Presteigne to a friend’s house,” said Mr Wilcox-Jones.
“The sharp turn was to the friend’s house, there was no intention to evade police or anything untoward.
“He had planned to spend the night at his friend’s house. There was no accident and the roads were quiet.
“He plays a full part in his local community; he played for many years for Radnor Valley and is involved with his local YFC.”
He added that Watson was a farmer who worked on the family property. “He will still be able to carry out his job but a lengthy ban will restrict the duties he carries out between all the farms,” said Mr Wilcox-Jones.
“He lives in the same property as his grandfather, who is in his 80s and who he cares for.
“He takes him to a local luncheon club once a week and he is embarrassed that this and other responsibilities will now fall on others.”
Magistrates banned Watson for 13 months, but he can reduce this by completing a drink drive rehabilitation course.
He was fined £120 and told to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
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