A Monkton man, who slept in his car with his wife and a friend after a night out socialising, has pleaded guilty in court to drink-driving.
Thirty-one-year-old Mark Aitchinson, of St. Martins Road, admitted a charge of driving his Volvo V40 with 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Abul Hussain told the court that police officers on patrol on March 19 noticed the defendant’s vehicle pulled in by a grass verge in Monkton with its lights on and engine running.
“Three people appeared to be sleeping inside the vehicle and there was a strong smell of alcohol when officers spoke to them.
“Mr. Aitchinson told officers that he had lost the keys to his house and that he, his wife and a friend had decided to sleep in the car,” explained Mr. Hussain.
The defendant told officers that they had all been out in Pembroke the night before and admitted driving the vehicle home.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that it was testament to Mr. Aitchinson’s honesty that he admitted to police officers that he had driven the car.
“He didn’t want to smash a window of the house to get in, but in hindsight it would have been better if he did!” said Mr. Webb.
Magistrates disqualified Mr. Aitchinson from driving for 17 months and fined him £350 for the offence. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £35 victim surcharge.