Failing to find a taxi led to a drink-driving plumber losing his licence for two years.

Christopher Lewis Bevan, of Oaklands, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, October 9.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said officers in an unmarked police car spotted Bevan’s Citroen Relay van driving erratically on Cromwell Road, Milford Haven, at 12.30am on September 23.

“The van was very erratic, it was not keeping in its line, and was braking hard for other vehicles.”

Officers noted that Bevan, 56, had slurred speech when they spoke to him.

He was found to have 99mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Katy Hanson, defending, said Bevan intended to get a taxi home, but had been unable to hire one.

“He waited for over one hour and made the rather stupid decision to get into the vehicle.”

Miss Hanson added that Bevan, a plumber, had been unable to work for the past three years due to a medical condition.

“He had got himself in a position where he could potentially go back to work and then this happened. The loss of his licence will make things difficult for him.”

The court heard that he had consumed about six pints during the night in question and was remorseful about his actions.

Magistrates sentenced Bevan to 100 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for 24 months.

He was ordered to pay £170 in costs and a surcharge.