A morning drive while more than double the alcohol limit has cost a Milford Haven man his licence and nearly £500.

Anthony Patterson, of Bunkers Hill, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, August 28.

The court heard that a police officer could smell alcohol when she stopped Patterson’s Peugeot 207 at 7.40am on the A477 at Sentry Cross, Neyland, on August 13.

Patterson, 31, was found to have 83mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said: “Clearly it is a high reading, whether he had been drinking that morning for breakfast, or been for a heavy night before.”

Mike Kelleher, defending, told the court that Patterson, an industrial painter who was previously of clean character, had been drinking due to family issues and had suffered from depression.

“Unfortunately he took to drink, and unfortunately he took the decision to drive.”

Patterson was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £350.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £35 surcharge.