A470 motorist loses job after third drink driving ban
Dean Barnes, 47, was found to be over the legal drink drive limit when police responded to an incident in Rhayader on June 27.
Barnes, who was lodging in the area at the time with work, had been returning to his home in Yorkshire, when he got into a road traffic collision in the early hours of the morning.
Barnes, of Croft Road, Brinsworth, Rotherham, admitted a charge of drink driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 15.
Skye Connors, prosecuting, said PC Thomas was called to the scene, on the A470 in Rhayader, at around 1.15am on June 27.
'A Toyota Corolla was parked half on the pavement, half on the carriageway. Its hazard lights were on and the defendant was in the driving seat,' said Ms Connors.
'He was on the phone arranging collection of the vehicle. It was clear he had been involved in some collision, there was damage to the alloys and deflated wheels. There was debris on the road."
Ms Connors added that Barnes had twice previously been convicted of drinking driving, some time ago in 1997 then 1998.
Barnes blew 66 micrograms of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35.
Gurleen Kaur, representing Barnes, said he was remorseful for his actions.
She said he had been working nights in a stressful week, and had struggled to sleep due to noise.
'They'd finished work early on last day and he had a few drinks, hoping it would help him get some sleep," she added.
'He went back to the lodgings, didn't get much sleep, and so decided to drive home in the early hours.
'The collision was not as a result of any impairment.'
Ms Kaur said that, Barnes had lost his job on the railways involving driving machinery as a result, and was struggling to find new work.
"He has a partner and they are unsure how they are going to get through this period financially,' she added,
Barnes was banned from driving for 20 months – one he can reduce if he completes a drink drive awareness course.
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