A drink-driving scaffolder’s ‘stupid’ decisions cost him his licence, more than £900, and long term regrets.

Karl Anthony Edgar, of Britannia Drive, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, August 14.

He pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, without insurance or a valid licence and failing to stop when instructed by a police officer,

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that police spotted Edgar’s Vauxhall Astra on the A477 near Neyland at 2.40am on July 19.

“The manner of driving drew their attention because he was swerving over the central line.

“They followed him and indicated for him to pull over using their lights, but he didn’t do so and continued towards the Cleddau Bridge.”

Edgar, 27, began to accelerate, then turned towards Burton, the officers stood down because they were not trained in pursuit tactics and called for assistance from their colleagues.

The car was found shortly afterwards in a pub car park, where it had collided with a fence and another vehicle. Edgar was located and arrested following a search and taken to the police station, where he was found to have 67mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “It was a stupid decision he took to drive in the first place, compounded by silly decisions afterwards.”

He added that the car had rolled forwards under its own steam after Edgar, a scaffolder, left it, and he had cooperated fully with the police and accepted all the offences.

“He is unable to provide any reason about why he took that decision, and it’s something that he will regret for a long time.”

Mr Kelleher said: “He apologises through me for his actions.”

Magistrates fined Edgar a total of £800 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs plus a £30 victim surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 20 months, and six penalty points were added to his licence.