Drink driver told police 'charge me' while lying in field

Daniel McBreen, 57, was discovered to be more than twice the legal drink drive limit – and has previously been banned for drink driving – following the road traffic collision, between Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl on February 12 this year.

McBreen entered a guilty plea to one charge of drink driving at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 27, as well as driving without a licence and no insurance.

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Prosecutor Helen Tench said McBreen, of Bryn Erfyl, Llanerfyl, was found by police in a field after a call from a member of the public regarding the crash, involving his Peugeot 2008 on the A458.

“The defendant was not in his vehicle and a search was conducted for his wellbeing,” said Mrs Tench.

“The defendant was located in a field nearby. He was found lying on the floor. He said to officers at the scene ‘Get me to the station and charge me. I’ve crashed my car, I’ll be going to jail, I’m f****d’.”

Mrs Tench said McBreen was arrested at the hospital.

“He remained in hospital,” she said.

“He admitted later to being the driver, he argued he’d consumed whisky after the collision.”

She said McBreen was convicted for a previous drink driving matter in 2018 and added that his licence was revoked in May 2023.

Rob Hanratty, defending McBreen, said his client was “ashamed” to find himself in court.

“He has been going through a rough time,” said Mr Hanratty.

“He consumed a modest amount of drink. He received a 48-month ban in 2018.

“References portray the defendant as a very kind natured and compassionate man. He is a gentle soul – which is in stark contrast to this incident.

“His wife has also written a letter to the court. She has stood by him through thick and, as it transpires today, thin.

“He has had some difficulty getting his licence back since the 2018 incident.”

McBreen was interviewed by probation and magistrates handed him a 12-month community order, which will include five rehabilitation activity days and 80 hours of unpaid work.

He will now be disqualified for a further 40 months for drink driving, with no separate penalties for the two other matters.