Seeking sanctuary in Pembrokeshire served to increase a former banker’s stress levels when he crashed his car while drink-driving.

David Thomas Kinch, of Uzmaston Road, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving and drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, November 20.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said police could smell cannabis emanating from Kinch’s vehicle when it was stopped at 9.30am in Johnston on August 30 as part of a routine check on August 30.

Test revealed he was over the controlled drug limit.

The court heard that Kinch’s VW Polo was involved in an accident on New Road, Haverfordwest, at around 7.30pm on October 31.

Police were told that Kinch, 44, had left the scene, but he returned ten minutes later smelling of alcohol.

Miss Vaughan said: “He was smelling of alcohol and said he had drunk after the accident.”

Kinch was found to have 47mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Kinch, a former corporate banker, was experiencing a stressful time, as he was awaiting an industrial tribunal, and came to Pembrokeshire after separating from his long-term partner.

He had gained a job as a courier, but this had added to his stress as he had been involved in four collisions since he started.

“All of it got simply too much. It was a very stressful time for him. He took cannabis the evening before. He had no idea that the drug would stay in the system as long as it did.”

Mr Kelleher added that the accident was not necessarily caused by Kinch as there had been a number of poorly parked cars in the area, and he had gone back to his property to get his insurance details.

“Working as a courier is clearly not going to be an option, he will be calling the firm today and resigning from his employment.”

Magistrates banned Kinch for four years and fined him a total of £240.

He was ordered to pay £170 costs and a £30 surcharge.