02-07-2025
Drink driver banned after swerving along busy Powys A-road
A prison officer seen swerving in the road and almost colliding with an oncoming car has been banned for 18 months for drink driving.
Leah Hamblett, 29, was pulled over by police on mobile patrol along the A483 near Pool Quay, Welshpool at 2am on June 15.
After failing a roadside breath test, she was arrested and taken to the police station where she gave a reading of 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Hamblett, from Warrington, pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Corsa when the alcohol level was above the 35mcgm limit when she appeared before Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 1.
"I'm gutted because I'd only passed my driving test two years ago.
"I know what I did was wrong and I'll accept any punishment."
Hamblett, who was representing herself in court, explained that following the breakdown of a long-term relationship earlier this year, she had received hospital treatment.
She explained that she had been drinking and "was not dealing with things very well" after the crisis team's involvement in her rehabilitation ended in late May.
Hamblett said she "doesn't know what to do" without her car which she needs for work at a prison, and she won't be able to take up her recent promotion at another prison.
"I can't get on public transport because of my anxiety," she added.
"I'm embarrassed with myself and I'm sorry".
