A Pembroke Dock man who drove whilst over the limit with his young daughter in the car has been banned from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle for two years.

Fifty-four-year-old Adrian Morris, of Gordon Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving his Citroen Berlingo on Bush Street, nearly twice over the drink drive limit, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that police officers on patrol in the area, received information shortly before 8 pm, on June 11, about a potential drink driver.

“The defendant’s vehicle was stopped on Bush Street, and officers immediately smelt a strong smell of alcohol when they spoke to him,” she told the court.

Mr. Morris, who was travelling with his daughter in the back of his car, was arrested after a roadside breath test proved positive.

At the police station, he gave a reading of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told magistrates that his client had been going through a difficult time, suffering health and financial problems, and his partner leaving him.

“He turned to alcohol as a crutch, but has sought help through the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS),” explained Mr. Kelleher, adding that Mr. Morris had lost 27 pounds in weight due to recent issues with stress and depression.

Mr. Kelleher also said that his client had recently fallen down stairs and injured his shoulder.

“He works eight miles from his home address and intends to cycle to work.

“Mr. Morris has already sold his vehicle as he doesn’t want any temptation to drive,” continued Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates heard a report from the probation service which explained that Mr. Morris had consumed some alcohol on the night in question, and ‘foolishly’ decided to get in the car to pick up his daughter, who only lived half-a-mile away from his home.

He said in an interview given to the probation officer that he was ‘very remorseful’ for his actions.

Chief magistrate David Simpson told the defendant that he could expect to wear a couple of tyres out on his push bike, before disqualifying Mr. Morris for 24 months.

Mr. Morris was given a 12-month community order, with a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), to include 60 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Magistrates also ordered the defendant to pay costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.