A father was caught driving at more than double the alcohol limit after police noticed his headlights being used incorrectly. Peter Entwistle, 61, was behind the wheel of his red Honda Civic in the early hours of September 3 on New Road, Porthcawl, with his headlights on full beam. When driving at night on lit roads the beam should be dipped.
Prosecutor Nicholas Evans told Cardiff Magistrates' Court that a police officer was driving past and flashed his own headlights to alert Entwistle to the mistake but there was no change to the beam. "The constable performed a turn at the end of New Road and caught up with the driver as he was attempting to park his vehicle."
The officer approached the defendant and noticed a strong smell of alcohol on his breath. Entwistle blew 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.
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David Sedgwick, mitigating, said his client had not realised his headlights were on full beam at the time. Entwistle, who lives in New Road, had been out drinking and returned home before being persuaded to go back out. "Foolishly he thought it would be okay to drive because he had been home a little while," said the solicitor.
"He made a spectacular misjudgement. He is mortified at the circumstances he has found himself in. He has always made sure his children have never drunk and drove and he had never done it himself."
Mr Sedgwick said Entwistle had no previous convictions and appeared "terrified" to be in court on Thursday. The defendant, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, will "never trouble the court again", the solicitor added.
The court heard Entwistle has been out of work for some time due to a serious leg injury. He receives £135 per week in benefits.
Presiding Justice Peter Ghroum told the defendant: "We've gone down the route of the least amount of disqualification we can place. We are satisfied this was a poor judgement on your part and you are devastated that you lose your good character."
The magistrates banned Entwistle from driving for 17 months which will be reduced by 17 weeks if he completes a drink-driving rehabilitation course. They also imposed a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs, and a victim services surcharge of £48. The debt will be paid at a rate of £20 per month from Entwistle's benefits.
As the hearing ended Mr Ghroum said: "I hope we don't see you again. Please be careful." You can read more of the latest stories from Welsh courts here.
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