A drink-driver has been banned from the road for 18 months.

Darren Wayne Thomas, aged 42, of Tudor Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared at Pembrokeshire’s magistrates court on Tuesday, May 15.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court that police officers were in an unmarked vehicle in the Merlins Bridge area at 2.20pm on April 27, when they saw Thomas’ Vauxhall Vivaro swerve across the lane, almost hitting their vehicle.

“The police officer had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. He then swerved across the white line towards oncoming traffic.”

Officers could smell alcohol when they stopped Thomas’ van and he was found to have 61mg of alcohol in 10ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Mark Layton, defending, said: “He does not agree that he nearly caused a collision.

“He finds it odd, because he only consumed a modest amount of alcohol, and would not have driven if he was over the limit.”

Mr Layton added that the self-employed roofer would now have to rely on people to drive him to work.

Magistrates fined him £254, and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 18 months.