A disqualified driver crashed into a bridge when he drunkenly got into his car while more than double the drink drive limit.

Phillip John Jackson, 34, of Causeway Plantation, Camrose, pleaded guilty to driving while above the legal alcohol limit, without third party insurance and while disqualified, when he appeared before magistrates on Tuesday.

The court heard that a local resident heard a loud bang at  9pm on October 7 on the B4330 Haverfordwest to Camrose road, and found a Peugeot 206  had collided with a nearby bridge.

Vaughan Prichard-Jones, prosecuting, said: “He spoke to the driver and asked if he was alright. He took him home, and after he dropped him off he told police he thought he had been drinking.”

Jackson admitted he had been driving when officers called at his home, and he was found to have 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mg.

Mr Prichard-Jones added that Jackson had previously been banned from driving for 42 months.

David Williams, defending, said: “He had been out in town with his girlfriend, socialising and consuming alcohol.

“He got a taxi back home, but decided he wanted to go back to town.  Stupidly he decided to drive and there was a collision with a bridge.”

Mr Williams added that Jackson’s ban was due to end in December and he had fully intended to get his licence back, but the vehicle had now been seized by the police.

The bench heard that Jackson, who works as a joiner, had binge drinking issues and suffered from anxiety.

Mr Williams said: “He has tried to get his life back on track.  In my opinion he is improving himself quite significantly.  All the ingredients for a productive future are present.”

Jackson was disqualified from driving for 36 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £170 in court costs and charges.

He was also sentenced to an 18 month community order with 250 hours of unpaid work and a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement.