A local carpenter has been banned from driving for a year, after being caught breaking the drink drive limit.

Tomas Gethin Wyn Davies, aged 21, of Pisgah, Gorsoch, Llanybydder, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that police were on patrol on the A484 near Cenarth at around midnight on June 20, and spotted a Ford transit van hit a kerb while turning a bend.

Officers stopped the vehicle, and Davies was found to have 52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Janan Jones defending told the court that Davies, A former Dyffryn Teifi pupil, was a hard working self-employed carpenter, who had built up a successful business.

She said: “He is completely dependent on his vehicle for work, and therefore he is punished already by being unable to work.”

Magistrates banned Davies from driving for 12 months, and fined him £265. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £27 victim surcharge.

The presiding magistrate said: “We have heard what will happen to you regarding your work, but it’s your own fault. Do not drink and drive again ever.”