
Meifod Mercedes driver 'crashed in ditch to avoid sheep'
Anthony Braben, 69, pleaded not guilty to being over the drink drive limit in his silver Mercedes Class A on the Bwlch-y-Cibau road near Llanfyllin on July 6.
Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard that the Meifod man was taken to Newtown Police Station for a breath test which gave a reading of 47 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35mcgms.
The case was adjourned until August 11 when a judge at Llandudno Magistrates' Court will hear the facts ahead of fixing a trial.
Dr Rachel Jones, chair of the magistrates' bench, granted Braben, of Brook Cottages, Meifod, unconditional bail and permission to attend the court hearing in Llandudno on a videolink.

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