A Fishguard motorist who crashed his car drunk into a roundabout before being found asleep at the wheel, has been given a lengthy driving disqualification after pleading guilty to the matter in court.
Twenty-eight-year-old Dean Alan James, of West Street, admitted driving his Mazda 3 on November 4, after exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that police officers had received a phone call from an independent party to make them aware of a vehicle being driven in an ‘erratic manner’ on Freemans Way in Haverfordwest, and that the car appeared to have a tyre missing.
Police found the vehicle stopped near to the skate park with damage to the front bumper and one tyre shredded, and Mr. James asleep in the driver’s seat.
It transpired that the defendant had been to Milford and driven to Haverfordwest but hit a roundabout on his journey.
Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that the facts very much ‘spoke for themselves’.
“This was somewhat of a disaster for Mr. James. He had an alcohol problem at that stage of his life, as well as suffering with mental health issues. He fully admits that he shouldn’t have been driving then.
“Since then he has been sectioned and taken to a mental health ward in Llanelli, which he was released from on Saturday.
“He now takes a variety of medication to help him get over his problem and he has been clear of alcohol since this incident.
“His last job was as a tractor driver so he has lost that, but he is making strides to help himself,” added Mr. Kelleher.
Magistrates handed Mr. James an 18 month driving disqualification for the offence and fined him £120.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.