A drink-driver, caught moving a leaky car out of the rain, was unable to attend his court appearance because he was detoxing in a polish jail.

Lukasz Robert Pawlowski, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, surrendered to a warrant at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, August 29.

He pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, without third party insurance or a valid licence.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Pawlowski had been out of the country for some time, and a warrant had also been issued by Swansea crown court.

The court heard that police spotted a Vauxhall Astra pulling into a parking space on the side of the road while on patrol at 2.15am in Commercial Row on November 11.

Pawlowski, 34, told officers he was only parking the car as a favour, and was found to have 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35mg.

Mr Pritchard-Jones stated that Pawlowski had failed to attend his court hearing on November 28.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Pawlowski, had returned to his native Poland before he was due to attend his hearing, but was arrested as soon as he got off the plane, and was released from jail in May.

“Part of the sentence included detox for a couple of months in a sanatorium.”

Mr Kelleher added that Pawlowski accepted he had driven on the night in question, but had been asked by his sister-in-law to turn the vehicle around as it leaked on one side in the rain.

“He did not drive very far at all. There was no-body else on the road, and no-body was inconvenienced.”

The court heard that Pawlowski had not had a drink in several months.

Mr Kelleher said: “While he has not been in this country, or turned up at court, he is now completely dry of alcohol and intends to keep it that way.

“A period of difficulties at the time were because he was drinking too much.”

Magistrates ordered Pawlowski to pay a total of £353 in fines, costs and a surcharge, and added six penalty points to his licence.