A DRINK-DRIVER found to be almost four times the legal limit needs help after suffering a string of family bereavements in the last year, magistrates have heard.

Anthony Stephen Jones, of Bronwydd, High Street, Llandysul, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving had to be held steady by police officers when getting out of his car, Aberystwyth magistrates were told.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said a breath test showed that 56-year-old Jones had 131 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

She said that police saw James driving a Ford Focus on the A484 at Llandysul at around 11.50am and decided to stop him after seeing the car veering over the white line with Ms Tench saying officers had described the driving as “erratic”.

When officers spoke to James they noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and could smell alcohol on him.

As he was getting out of his car, Ms Tench said James needed to be steadied by officers.

Aberystwyth magistrates heard that James was convicted of drink-driving seven years ago, so was facing an extended driving ban for a second offence within a 10-year period.

She said that police had also requested that James complete an extended driving test before he is allowed to drive again after completing his ban.

Defence solicitor Alan Lewis said James accepted he needed help after turning to alcohol after suffering a large number of family bereavements in the last year.

He said that had badly affected James who has now started receiving bereavement counselling and accepted that he needed help in addressing his alcohol use.

Mr Lewis said James was expecting to be made subject to a community order and said that help from the probation service could help him address his issues.

James was given a community order for 18 months with 15 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and was banned from driving for 40 months.

He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £170.