A criminology student learnt an expensive law lesson from the dock after she was caught drink-driving in Haverfordwest.

Seren Gwenllian Evans, of Cwmbach, Whitland, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when she appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, June 26.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that police spotted Evans, 19, in the Bristol Trader car park, Quay Street, Haverfordwest, at 4am on June 10.

She told them she was not planning to drive, but was just collecting some items from her car before getting a taxi home.

Shortly afterwards the officers saw Evans driving a Suzuki Alto as if she was about to exit the car park. She then pulled into a space and turned the engine off.

She was found to have 77mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

The court heard that she was previously of clean character with an unblemished driving licence, and was remorseful, ashamed and embarrassed about the incident.

Ashanti-Jade Walton, defending, said: “She held her hands up and admitted she was in the wrong. She showed a level of maturity that perhaps her actions on the night did not portray.”

Miss Walton added that Evans, who was studying criminology at Swansea University but planned to change to a social work course, went to retrieve a bag from her car, then decided to move it to a spot where she would not be blocked in the following morning.

“It is a mistake which has caused her and her family great embarrassment, and may affect her future career.”

Evans was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “It was a silly thing to do, especially for someone studying criminology. I hope you have learned a valuable lesson from it.”