A Milford Haven carer was left jobless with an £8,000 debt after crashing his car while more than double the drink-drive limit.
Deiniol Douglas Owens, of Havens Park, Herbrandston, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, September 4.
Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the bench that Owens drove his BMW out of a car park and collided with another car on the Dale Road, Haverfordwest, at around midnight on August 18.
A roadside breath test was positive and Owens was found to have 76mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.
Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “It is an aggravating factor that he caused an accident due to his presence on the road, and his driving was impaired by the fact that he was more than double the drink-drive limit.”
Eurig Roberts, defending, said Owens made a full and frank admission when spoken to by police, and claimed a shot of tequila he drank, before two or three pints while out with his girlfriend, may have impaired his judgement.
“He felt fine to drive. He says the collision was over within a matter of seconds, he does not recall exactly what happened.”
Mr Roberts added that Owens, 26, had lost his job as a carer as a result of the incident, as it was dependant on him having a driving licence.
The court heard that Owens was still £8,000 in debt for the car which he no longer had.
“He is ashamed and embarrassed to be here today and wants to apologise.”
Magistrates banned him from driving for 18 months and fined him £120.
He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
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