A driver was shocked to find he was over the drink-drive limit when he was stopped by police after drinking three pints.

Edward Alexander Hebden Andrews, aged 45 of 7 Foundry Close, Telford, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that police on patrol on the A487 near Sarnau spotted Andrews’ VW Polo at around 1am on April 24.

He was arrested following a positive roadside breath test, and was found to have 61mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Alan Lewis, defending, said his client had no previous convictions or cautions and had cooperated fully with police.

He said: “He is absolutely devastated he committed this offence. He had three pints to drink, he then had a fall out with his partner and decided to take himself away from the situation.”

“When he was stopped he was shocked to find he was over the limit.”

Mr Lewis added that losing his licence would have serious consequences for Andrews’ job as a purchaser, as he had to drive 30 miles to work, and travelled to visit customers.

Magistrates fined Andrews £400 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months.