Driver claimed he had taken Calpol before getting behind the wheel but tests showed 96mcg

A SELF-EMPLOYED carpenter stopped by police in Tenby after claiming he had taken Calpol was found to be almost three times over the drink-drive limit, magistrates heard.

Mark Skyrme, 46, of Fern Cottages, Penally, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas said Skyrme was stopped on the evening of Saturday, December 21 after officers saw him driving a Toyota Hilux along Lower Park Road, Tenby.

“He smelt strongly of alcohol and his eyes appeared glazed,” she told the court.

“When spoken to by the officers, the defendant said he’d taken some Calpol, which he claimed had an alcohol content of 7%.”

Breath tests later showed Skyrme had 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The prosecutor said there was a passenger in the vehicle at the time, which was treated as an aggravating feature.

Skyrme pleaded guilty to drink driving. His solicitor, Liam Francis, said his client had been at home with his partner and had made “the foolish decision” to drive her home.

“He was fortunate that there was no accident,” Mr Francis told magistrates.

Magistrates disqualified Skyrme from driving for 26 months. He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 10 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Motorist was also seen hitting a kerb before officers stopped the vehicle in Spring Gardens

A MOTORIST spotted driving through Narberth town centre at night with no lights on his vehicle was found to be almost three times over the drink-drive limit, magistrates heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, of Martletwy, Narberth, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas said Lloyd was observed by police officers driving a Nissan X-Trail through Spring Gardens on the night of Friday, December 20.

“It was being driven without lights, so naturally was stopped by the officers who were concerned it was going to cause an accident,” she told the court.

“The vehicle had also been seen hitting a kerb.”

When officers spoke to Lloyd, the court heard he had glazed eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

Breath tests later showed he had 97 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Lloyd pleaded guilty to drink driving. His solicitor, Liam Francis, told magistrates: “He’d been out with work colleagues, drank some alcohol, and made the foolish decision to drive his vehicle home. He accepts the circumstances could have been far worse.”

Mr Francis said Lloyd had been working as a concrete pumper, but his job was now at risk.

Magistrates indicated Lloyd would receive a medium community order, with the details to be decided after an all-options probation report is prepared.

He was released on unconditional bail. An interim driving disqualification was imposed, and he is due to be sentenced on February 3.

Father-of-two said he had two pints with a meal before being stopped on the A487

A FISHGUARD motorist stopped for speeding in a 20mph zone was later found to be over the drink-drive limit, magistrates heard.

Matthew Williams, 36, of Garnlas, Fishguard, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The court was told Williams, a father of two, was seen driving a silver BMW 1 Series on the A487 between Newport and Temple Bar on the evening of Thursday, December 19.

Breath tests carried out by officers showed he had 42 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

“He’d been out for a meal and had consumed two pints of alcohol,” his solicitor, Liam Francis, told the court.

“He felt he was in a position to drive, but upon reflection he recognises that this wasn’t the case, and he should have been more cautious.”

Mr Francis said Williams runs a part-time mobile valeting service and the loss of his licence would have an impact on his work.

Magistrates disqualified Williams from driving for 13 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.