A drinking-driving pensioner has been ordered to pay £525.

Peter Evans , of Cilgwyn Road, Newport, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, January 8.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that police stopped Evans’ Renault Clio as part of a routine check on the A487 at Newport at 6.15pm on December 11.

Evans, 77, told officers he had consumed one pint, and a roadside breath-test was positive. He was later found to have 43mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

The court heard that he previously held a clean driving licence and was of clean character.

Jonathan Webb, defending, said: “It is always sad when a gentleman of 77 years, who has led an entirely blameless life to date, comes before the court and loses his good character.”

He added that Evans had made a ‘misjudgement’ regarding his consumption of alcohol.

“He was probably 30 to 40 minutes to being under the limit.”

Magistrates fined Evans £400 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £40 surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 12 months.