A driver who was twice the drink alcohol limit will keep his job after a glowing letter from his employers, who described him as someone who “goes above and beyond to succeed”.

Ben Jones, 31, was disqualified from driving for nearly 2 years at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week, following a high reading of alcohol in his breath, when he was arrested at the scene of a road traffic collision near Newtown on October 13.

He entered a guilty plea to a charge of drink driving on Tuesday, November 12.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Jones was driving a Peugeot on the A489 near Kerry and crashed into a telegraph pole, having drunk “three large glasses of red wine” at a party before heading home.

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“An officer attended a single vehicle road traffic collision, whereby a Peugeot had sustained front end near side damage, after colliding with a telegraph pole,” said Mrs Tench.

“The defendant was the driver and confirmed it was his car. He appeared unsteady on his feet and a roadside breath test was positive.

“He said that as he headed back home, he collided with the pole. He told the officer he had drank three large glasses of red wine before driving.”

A reading provided by Jones showed he had 88 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Defending Jones, of Vaynor, Newtown, Gurleen Kaur said her client had made a mistake and it was out of character.

“He was at a party with friends, it was a small gathering,” said Ms Kaur.

“He had been through a period of significant stress. He was working long hours, his mum had suffered health complications and he had also enrolled in university; so he had a lot of stress in his life.

“He knew he had work the next morning and felt he had no option but to drive home. He relies on driving for a living, but appreciates he is facing a ban.

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“He has spoke to his employers and they have said they can support him for six months by moving him to another department, but this will result in a wage reduction.”

Ms Kaur produced a letter from the employer, who described the defendant as “a person of morals and high integrity. He is immensely dedicated and has become a vital member of the team. He goes above and beyond to succeed”.

Jones was banned from driving for 22 months; he can reduce this by a quarter if he completes a drink drive awareness course.

Magistrates also fined him a total of £891 – this includes a £576 fine, a £230 surcharge and £85 costs.