An Abermule man was found to be more than twice over the drink limit when he was stopped by police outside a petrol station in Newtown.

William Reid, 65, was given a 20-month driving ban at Welshpool Magistrates' Court after he pleaded guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers initially stopped the Ford Fiesta which "mounted the kerb and drove a short distance stopping at Snax 24" in Pool Road just before 4am on July 17 because of an issue with the vehicle's MOT.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court that officers noted that Reid appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested after he gave a positive roadside test.

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Reid provided a reading of 77 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Robert Hanratty, acting for Reid, told the court: "He wasn’t intending to drive. His friend pressed him for lift. He saw a police car and pulled up on the pavement. Police’s initial query was over MOT not over erratic driving.

"He was fully co-operative with police."

The court was also told that Reid, an HGV driver for many years, would lose his job with immediate effect because of the driving ban.

Magistrates disqualified Reid, of Felin Hafren, Abermule, from driving for 20 months. He was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £200 victim surcharge and £85 court costs resulting in a total bill of £785.