A MAN has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol during the early hours in Aberdyfi.

Richard Harris, 27, of Rock Cross, Kidderminster was spotted by police driving at a fast speed in the early hours of 17 July.

Rhian Jones, prosecuting, said that the police saw the defendant’s Ford Focus parked in the village.

A roadside breath test proved positive and a subsequent test showed that Harris had 88 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms.

Harris was accompanied by three adults in the vehicle and claimed to be looking for bed and breakfast accommodation and to be on a short holiday break in the area.

He pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol but defending him, Iestyn Davies, said that his client was shocked and surprised at the alcohol reading.

Mr Davies said that Harris had been convicted of a similar offence in 2010 and was informed of an extended driving ban, adding that his client was hoping that he would keep his job as a shed builder.

He then asked the magistrates to offer his client a drink-drive rehabilitation course and said that a previous course had been beneficial.

Court chairman, Alan Pugh, fined the defendant £260 with £85 prosecution costs and £60 victim surcharge.

A driving ban of 44 months was imposed.

Speaking to Harris, he said: “We are not offering you a drink driver’s rehabilitation course because you have already attended one course.”