A drink-driver was given a lesson in ‘bottle to throttle’, after being banned from the road for more than three years.

Emyr Wyn George, of Eglwyswrw, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, August 14.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the bench that police stopped George’s VW Golf on the A487 at Nevern as part of a routine check at 9.05pm on July 25.

A roadside breath test was carried out after officers notice the smell of alcohol, and George was found to have 42mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Katy Hanson, defending, said George, 59, had fully cooperated with the police and the reading was very low.

She added that he was disabled and lived in an extremely rural area, which would prove difficult without a driving licence.

“That day he had only eaten breakfast. He had two small cans of lager and did not expect them to take him over the limit.

“He had taken medication which may have affected how alcohol was dealt with by his body. When stopped he was only just over the limit.”

“He is extremely sorry for this offence.”

Magistrates heard that George had a previous conviction for drink-driving before banning him from the road for 37 months.

He was also fined £140 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £30 surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “Drink-driving is a very serious offence. We appreciate your difficulties, but you could have caused injury or worse to members of the public.”

He added: “A good rule is 12 hours from bottle to throttle.”