A Milford man who fell off his mobility scooter at a beer and cider festival has been charged with driving whilst unfit through drink.

Forty-three-year-old Michael James Smith, of Haven Drive, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court, on Tuesday, charged with driving a mechanically propelled vehicle, namely a mobility scooter, on a public place in Milford Marina on July 23, whilst unfit to drive through drink.

He was also charged with possessing 0.6 grams of herbal cannabis, in Haverfordwest on the same date.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told magistrates that Mr. Smith had attended the beer and cider festival held in a marquee dockside in the marina.

“After 9 pm, police were called to the scene by security who had reported that the defendant was driving his mobility scooter inside and outside the marquee drunk,” he explained.

“At one point he tipped sideways and came off the scooter, and took it with him.

“When police officers arrived, they could see Mr. Smith driving his scooter towards the marquee, with security guards telling him that he was not allowed to come back in,” continued Mr. Pritchard-Jones.

“A roadside breath test proved positive, and officers described Mr. Smith’s speech as being slurred and his eyes glazed. They said that he smelt as though he had soiled himself and was given a new pair of trousers.

“When his original trousers were searched, the cannabis was found inside his pocket,” he added.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson told the court that the trip to the beer and cider festival was a ‘rare journey out’ for Mr. Smith who suffers with MS.

“He got carried away, and realises that his behaviour was unacceptable,” she said.

“Nine years ago he had a similar conviction. Mr. Smith doesn’t have a driving licence, but he wouldn’t have needed one for a mobility scooter,” added Ms Hanson.

Magistrates disqualified Mr. Smith from driving for three years and gave him a 12-month conditional discharge for the cannabis offence.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.