An off-duty police officer feared a car driven by a drink-driver was heading towards families playing in the snow, magistrates have heard.

David James Tombs, of Devonshire Drive, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday.

Abul Hussain, prosecuting, told the court that an off-duty officer was with his children and other families who were playing in heavy snow in the Sandy Hill Park area of Saundersfoot, on March 2.

“He saw a Vauxhall Zafira and feared it would continue down the road. Because of the road conditions it feared it would be unable to stop and posed a risk to the families present.”

The officer waved his arms in the air to stop the vehicle, and noticed that Tombs’ speech was slurred and he smelt of intoxicants. Tombs, 55, was asked to hand over his car keys, and the police were called.

He was arrested and found to have 42mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Luke Lambourne, defending, told the court that Tombs had received surgery on his leg the previous week, and slipped on ice while running errands in Saundersfoot on the day in question.

“He hit his leg and his head and was very shaken up by the incident, only at that point was alcohol consumed.

“He went to one of the local establishments to calm himself.”

Mr Lambourne added that Tombs had been driving home, and disputed that he was going to attempt driving down the hill.

“As a result of the fall on the snow and ice his leg became infected and he had to have further treatment.”

The court heard that a driving disqualification would have significant repercussions for Tombs and his ability to assist his daughter, and he had previous convictions for a similar offence.

Magistrates fined him £120 and banned him from driving for 38 months. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.