A MOTORIST found slumped over his steering wheel with the engine still running has admitted being three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Robert McMillan, 44, was spotted by another driver at around 1:00pm on September 19 while parked near St Florence. Concerned for his welfare, the member of the public called police.

“A member of the public contacted the police as they were concerned that he’d either been drinking, taking drugs, or had a medical issue,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“The engine was running and when the member of the public asked him if he was ok, the defendant gave him a thumbs-up.”

Following his arrest, a blood sample revealed McMillan had 272 micrograms of alcohol in his system—the legal limit is 80.

This week McMillan pleaded guilty to drink-driving. In mitigation, he claimed he had consumed a pint of alcohol at a pub in Penally and, after suspecting he had a flat tyre, pulled into a layby and drank three-quarters of a bottle of wine he had in the car.

“This led to his high reading as normally he doesn’t drink alcohol like this,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

However, the Crown disputed this version of events. CCTV footage played in court captured the member of the public telling officers that McMillan had fallen out of his vehicle.

McMillan was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who said the offence would have serious repercussions.

“For the past 17 years, Mr McMillan has worked for a mental health charity based in Cardiff, but his role involves a significant amount of driving,” she said. “His employers are now going to have to reconsider his position. This is going to have a huge impact on both himself and others. He’s disappointed in himself and is extremely sorry.”

Magistrates disqualified McMillan from driving for 28 months and imposed a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

Due to the level of alcohol in his system, McMillan is now classed as a high-risk offender and must prove he is medically fit to drive before reapplying for his licence.

A COURT has heard how a resident of Silverdale Lodge was so desperate to escape his difficult living conditions that he drove off in his van while intoxicated, following a drinking spree.

Bobby Williams, 41, was spotted in his parked vehicle by officers on the evening of March 4. When they spoke to him, he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Subsequent ANPR checks confirmed that he had been driving the van approximately ten minutes earlier.

A roadside breath test proved positive, and a further test at Haverfordwest police station showed he had 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than twice the legal limit. However, Williams refused to provide the required evidential samples when requested by officers.

He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said that Williams had struggled to rebuild his life following a prison sentence for stalking his former partner.

“Things haven’t been easy for him,” said Mr Lloyd. “He used to be a self-employed builder in Newport [Glamorgan], but due to post-custodial licence conditions, he is no longer allowed to return there.

“He’s been living in Silverdale Lodge—this court is well aware of the challenges residents face there. The defendant isn’t used to that sort of lifestyle, and that night, things weren’t particularly comfortable. He went out with the intention of sleeping in his van. He just wanted to get away.”

Mr Lloyd added that since his release from custody, Williams had made significant progress with his probation requirements.

“He’s taken every step to address his behaviour and complied fully with probation. He’s doing extremely well,” he said.

Magistrates imposed a 24-month Community Order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. Williams was also disqualified from driving for 24 months and must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who lives in constant pain due to a serious spinal condition has been ordered to pay over £1,000 after being found guilty of refusing to provide a blood sample for analysis.

Ryan Ratcliffe, 41, was stopped by police on December 12 and gave a positive roadside drugs test. He was taken to Haverfordwest police station, where officers requested a blood sample for further analysis.

“But he refused, saying he was afraid of needles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “No medical evidence has been given to the court to prove that this was correct.”

Ratcliffe, of Bro Waldo, Clunderwen, had denied the charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis but was found guilty following a trial on March 17. He returned to court this week for sentencing.

Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher told magistrates that Ratcliffe suffers from spinal stenosis—a degenerative condition that causes the narrowing of the spinal canal.

“He has the condition in his neck, middle back and at the base of his spine,” said Mr Kelleher. “It is untreatable and will affect him for the rest of his life.”

The court heard that Ratcliffe’s home has been specially adapted to his disability and that he relies on a carer for day-to-day assistance.

“The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that he lives in a rural area with limited public transport,” added Mr Kelleher. “Having access to a vehicle was his only way of getting to his local shop. But now that’s going to be lost.”

Ratcliffe was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £650 in court costs along with a £120 victim surcharge.