Llanidloes teenager has two drink driving bans, aged just 18
A POWYS teenager has been banned from driving for four years after he was caught drunk behind the wheel, less than six months after he had been disqualified for the exact same thing.
George Hughes, 18, from Llanidloes, was stopped on the A470 between Llandinam and Caersws in the early hours of May 31, after police had received a call regarding the manner of his driving.
Hughes' Vauxhall Corsa was 'surrounded by smoke' when police located him in the Dolwen area.
He had been drinking with friends in Newtown after playing golf and was driving home – despite the fact his licence had been revoked and he'd been disqualified for drink driving last November.
Hughes, of Caegwyn Isaf, Llanidloes, entered guilty pleas to charges of drink driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 17.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said: 'It was the early hours, police had a call regarding the manner of the defendant's driving.
'PCs attended Dolwen to conduct a search and located the vehicle. They stopped it and it was surrounded by smoke. One officer assisted the defendant in getting out of his car.
'His eyes were glazed, he smelt of intoxicants and he admitted he had been drinking and was disqualified.
'There is a previous like matter and this was committed a few months into an 18-month disqualification, so it aggravates the matter.'
The reading provided by Hughes showed he had 87 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Defending Hughes, Geraint Parry said his client was young and naïve, but 'not without potential'.
'He fully accepts the seriousness of these offences,' said Mr Parry.
'He was disqualified in November for drink driving and has made some very poor and immature decisions.
'He does not have much memory of the incident. He had been drinking before deciding to drive home from Newtown. There were issues with the gear stick.
'He is genuinely remorseful. He has a problem with making decisions when drinking alcohol. He is here to take responsibility and has started attending Kaleidoscope to understand and address his behaviour.
'He works part-time 3 days a week but has aspirations to join the Army; he hopes it provides him with structure, purpose and direction, all of which he needs.'
Magistrates ordered a report and probation officer Carl Atkinson said Hughes, who works in hospitality, 'wishes to address his problematic behaviour' when drinking alcohol.
'He had been playing golf with friends then went drinking in Newtown,' said Mr Atkinson.
'He says he had a fair few to drink but can't remember how much. He made a spontaneous decision to drive home."
Hughes was disqualified for four years and was also made the subject of a 12-month community order, which will include 100 hours' unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also told to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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