A DRINK-driving removal man accepted being the ‘author of his own downfall’ as he was handed a three-year ban.

Greg Ian McKenzie, of Blaenwaun, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, September 18.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that police thought McKenzie, 32, may have been speeding when they spotted him driving a Vauxhall Movano towards them near Efailwen on September 2.

They spoke to him after he turned off towards Narberth and noticed the smell of alcohol on his breath.

McKenzie, who had a previous conviction for a similar offence within the last 10 years, told officers he would probably be ‘borderline’.

He was found to have 43mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Eirug Roberts, defending, said: “This was a grave error in judgement, but a redeeming feature is that he cooperated with the police.”

Mr Roberts added that McKenzie drank alcohol when he attended a party on the Friday evening and had not driven on Saturday.

“In the early hours of Sunday he felt fine but acknowledged he may have been over the limit.”

The court heard that McKenzie would lose his job as a removal driver as a result of the offence, and may have to leave Pembrokeshire to look for work, which would mean leaving behind his son.

Mr Roberts said: “He will have to make decisions about his vehicle and accommodation, when everything in his life was going so well.

“He accepts that he is the author of his own downfall today.”

Magistrates fined McKenzie £120 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 36 months.