A local restaurateur was ‘astonished’ to find himself over the drink drive limit after drinking three bottles of lager.

Kamil Anton, aged 27, of Mandalay, Gwbert, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that Anton drove up behind a police car blocking a one-way street, near St Marys Street, Cardigan, while the officer dealt with a matter at 2am on July 20.

The officer approached Anton’s Mercedes to explain she would be moving her vehicle soon, and could smell alcohol on the defendant.

He failed a breath test at the scene and was arrested. A test at the station found he had 66mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Alan Lewis, defending, said: “This error of judgement will have devastating consequences for him, his family and the people who work for him. He employs ten members of staff at his restaurant.”

Mr Lewis added that his client transported chefs to the New Quay business, working late at night when there is no public transport, and collected fresh produce daily.

The court heard that Anton went to a pub after working all day and drank three bottles of lager, not realising they were stronger than normal brands.

Mr Lewis said: “I was confident he was not over the limit. He was astonished when he failed the breath test.”

The presiding magistrate said: “We can see this will have an impact on you and your employees in your successful business, but you have committed this offence and there are rules we must impose on you. We hope you will be able to work around some of these problems this presents for you.”

Anton was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for three years, after the court heard this was his second drink drive offence within the last ten years.