A driver who didn't realise that his entire bumper had been ripped off after as he overtook a truck was found to be more than twice the alcohol limit, a court has heard.
Anthony Holland, 62, had been driving back home from having a few pints at a pub when he was clipped by a 32-tonne truck that was also overtaking a moped near Banwy Fuels in Cyfronydd on Thursday, July 4.
A breath test later revealed that he had been driving with at least 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath. The legal limit is 35mcgms.
Holland was disqualified from driving for 19 months after he pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 23.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
- Suspected drink driver released without charge after four-vehicle crash in Powys
- Talks begin over plans to reduce opening hours at Powys hospital units
- Met Office issues Powys with yellow warning for thunderstorm
Prosecutor Helen Tench said police received a report from the truck driver that he suspected Holland had been driving under the influence of alcohol, adding that Holland had driven away.
Police later found Holland with the whole back bumper including the registration plate was missing on his white Vauxhall. Holland, who they noted smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words, had told the officer that he had been drinking before he was arrested.
The truck driver told police that there was almost a head-on collision, and if he'd not slammed his brakes "it would have been worse".
Robert Hanratty, acting on behalf of Holland, told the court that the Welshpool man had come across a 32-tonne truck which was moving slowly. As the 62-year-old got level with the cab, the truck then overtook a moped.
"As a consequence, he clipped the defendant’s vehicle and the defendant didn’t realise that the entire bumper had been ripped off," the solicitor said. "He thought it was minimal."
Both drivers exchanged details before Holland drove away.
Mr Hanratty continued: "He was entitled to drive off. It was only his damage.
"There were no aggravating features other than he was comfortably over drink driving limit.
"There is no excuse for drink driving, but he tells me that he didn’t realise it was that high after having a few in The Bradford Arms. He was working in Oswestry and is now unemployed as a consequence of this incident."
Magistrates also ordered Holland, of Broad Street, Welshpool, to pay a £120 fine, £48 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here