FORMER Wales and British & Irish Lions rugby star Mike Phillips has been banned from the roads for more than two years, after he was caught drink driving in Powys.
Phillips, 41, was three times the legal drink drive limit when police stopped him in Llanwrtyd Wells on July 7.
Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday, July 31, that the former scrum-half – one of Wales’ most capped players, with 94 appearances – initially drove off when confronted by members of the public after hitting a fence in Newbridge-on-Wye.
Phillips, whose full name is William Mike Phillips, pleaded guilty to drink driving, and gave his father’s address of Station Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire.
Magistrates deviated from their standard practice of dealing with such high alcohol readings via a community-based punishment, because Phillips now lives in Dubai.
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Prosecutor James Sprunks said police received a call relating to a road traffic collision near the New Inn pub at 6pm involving an Audi A4.
“The driver was confronted but drove off. He left the area in the direction of Builth Wells," said Mr Sprunks.
“Members of the public identified the driver. They said he had hit a fence. When confronted, he took off, at speed.”
He was later arrested in Llanwrtyd.
“Officers described him as unsteady on his feet, he smelt of intoxicants, he was speaking slowly and had dilated pupils," said Mr Sprunks.
Phillips’ reading for alcohol was 108 micrograms in breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms. Mr Sprunks said Phillips had no previous convictions.
Acting for Phillips, Jonathan Webb said: “Mr Phillips was undertaking charity work the previous day, he was at a rugby match.
“He was also asked to attend a minor event on Sunday and had some more alcohol but not enough, he thought, to put him over the limit.
“He thought he was fine to drive, he clearly wasn’t.
“He did bump the fence, but he didn’t cause any damage. It was very, very minor. He did panic and drove away."
Mr Webb added: “Mr Phillips is a former professional sportsman. He has forged a new life and is married with two children, and lives in Dubai, where he works for a recruitment company. He earns £3,000 a month.
“He has lots of charity interests and gives lots of his time to charities and schools; he turns out for sporting events trying to raise money for them."
Magistrates fined Phillips £1,153 plus a £461 surcharge and £85 costs.
He was banned for 25 months but can reduce this by completing a drink driving awareness course.
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