AN ARMY chef caught drink driving three times in five months has narrowly avoided jail.

Father-of-two Thomas Griffiths, 24, of Cawdor Barracks, brought a rucksack of belongings with him to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court last week, believing he would be “sent down” for the string of serious offences.

He admitted driving while disqualified, driving while over the legal alcohol limit and with no insurance.

In August, Griffiths – who has been in the army for five years - pleaded guilty to his first drink driving charge, and was disqualified from using any motor vehicle for 12 months. The following month he was up before the Magistrates again, and admitted the same charge, earning himself a two year driving ban.

Just after midnight on December 11, a police officer stopped Griffiths as he drove his VW Golf on Thomas Parry Way in Haverfordwest.

“The defendant immediately got out of his vehicle and started to walk away,” said Ellie Morgan, prosecuting. “Fearing he was going to run off, the officer grabbed his arm.”

Griffiths responded with aggressive language, and other officers were called to the scene. One of them recognised Griffiths as a disqualified driver.

He was taken to Haverfordwest Police Station where a breath test showed he was almost twice the legal alcohol limit.

In interview, Griffiths said he didn’t know why he had got in to his car, and called himself an “idiot”.

Probation Officer Julie Norman had prepared a pre-sentence report on the defendant.

“He deeply regrets his decision to drive. He had been drinking heavily at the Barracks and alcohol got the better of him. He was very open with me, and admitted he has developed an alcohol issue and is currently alcohol-dependent,” she said.

Mrs Norman told the court Griffiths had separated from his partner, who had moved away to North Wales with their one-month-old baby. He also has a daughter, 6, from a previous relationship, who lives in Manchester with his ex-partner.

“If someone is given a prison sentence or a suspended sentence they are automatically discharged from the army,” Mrs Norman informed the Magistrates. “This man’s future is really somewhat uncertain.”

Michael Kellegher, defending, said the loss of his partner had lead Griffiths to start drinking heavily.

“He’s never had and treatment or counselling for his alcohol problem,” Mr Kellegher explained. “He needs help as much as he needs punishment.”

Saying Griffiths was “a whisker away from going to prison”, Magistrates banned him from driving for three years, imposed 12 penalty points on his licence and sentenced him to a 24 month community order with alcohol supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work. The repentant soldier was also ordered to pay a fine, costs and a surcharge totalling £470.