A motorist who arranged transport home after a night out found he was still over the drink-drive limit when he returned to collect his car the following morning, a court heard this week.

Thirty-one-year-old Ian Mackenzie Thomas was involved in a road accident at The Ridgeway, Saundersfoot, at approximately 11.15 am on April 22, magistrates sitting in Tenby were told on Tuesday.

Both drivers involved in the accident were asked to provide a breath sample and Thomas, of Greystones, 2 Parc Roberts, Narberth, provided a positive roadside breath test.

Thomas was subsequently arrested and taken to the police station where the intoxiliser procedure was carried out.

As both samples provided by Thomas were between 40 and 50 mg in breath, he was given the opportunity to provide a blood sample, which after analysis revealed he was over the drink-drive limit, with 91 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The legal limit is 80 mg.

Defence solicitor, Miss Sharon Knox handed in three character references to the magistrates and she told them that Thomas was "extremely upset" about the matter.

She explained that he had been out the night before and had arranged transport home. However, the next day when he collected his car he was involved in an accident on the way home and had provided a positive breath test.

After collecting his car, Thomas was going to take his partner, who was expecting a baby, to hospital, and she gave birth to a baby girl the following day, Miss Knox told the court.

"If he had had an inkling that he was above the normal level he would not have driven," the solicitor said.

"He is fully aware that he will be disqualified for a minimum period of 12 months and it will cause him quite a lot of difficulty," explained Miss Knox.

However, he was anxious to continue his employment working as a self-employed builder at various sites in Pembrokeshire.

Thomas, who admitted driving with excess alcohol, was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £140 and ordered to pay £50 costs. He was also offered the opportunity to attend the PRISM course.