A young man has been sentenced for getting behind the wheel while almost three times the alcohol limit and was caught driving "erratically" and at "excessive" speed in Newtown town centre.

Robert Brock, 26, was pulled over by a police officer in Shortbridge Street just after 2am on Saturday, July 6, after going out drinking with a friend following the break-up of his long-term relationship.

A breath test gave the lowest reading of 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Brock, of Brandy House, Felindre, near Knighton, but also has a home in Newtown, was disqualified from driving for 24 months and ordered to complete a 12-month community order after pleading guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 23.

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Prosecutor Helen Tench said PC Evans arrested Brock after suspecting him of drink driving when he noticed the Vauxhall Astra driver had glazed eyes and was smelling of alcohol.

Robert Hanratty, acting on behalf of Brock, said the 26-year-old was only intending to travel a few metres.

"He regards this a very foolish matter and undoubtedly clouded by alcohol," the solicitor said.

"He is a very clean-living man who’d never dream of being before any jurisdiction or court."

In a pre-sentence report read out in court, probation officer Teri Dunham shared that Brock had been using alcohol to "numb depressive feelings" following the end of a five-year relationship.

The 26-year-old had met up with a friend at a pub in Newtown after work on the Friday evening and drank alcohol "to excess".

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Ms Dunham explained that the accounts assistant told her that he was "unable to explain the decision to drive" and that he may been driving to get food before he was stopped by the police officer in Shortbridge Street during the early hours of Saturday morning.

"Mr Brock tells me he is incredibly disappointed by his behaviour and the possible harm caused by drink driving," she told the court.

"He has since stopped drinking and reflected on his actions which has acted as a wake-up call and sign to make changes.

"He has spoken to family and friends to open up about his feelings."

Ms Dunham concluded that Mr Brock was "significantly" impacted by a relationship breakdown and used "inappropriate" methods to cope.

Magistrates decided to go along with the probation service’s recommendation of a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation requirement days and 100 unpaid work hours.

Brock must also pay £85 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.