A drink-driver will lose his licence and job after being found sleeping in his car.

Steven George Owen, of Ambleston, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, April 24.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, told the court that police received a call about a man in a parked car in a Newbridge layby at 12.30am on April 8.

“They were concerned he was ill or sleeping. Police attended to find him sleeping, and could smell alcohol when they opened the door to wake him up.

“The keys were in the ignition, but the engine was not running.”

Owen, 55, admitted to the officers he had driven his Ford Focus on the Clarbeston Road to Newbridge road.

He was found to have 65mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “This is a complete and utter disaster for Mr Owen. His job is as a driver for the local authority. He will lose that.

“He lives in Ambleston, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere with no public transport.”

He added: “He had driven, then very sensibly parked in a layby and went to sleep. He engine was not running He did not even have the heater on.”

Owen was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.