A drink-driver who was more than double the alcohol limit when police were called to an accident near Abergynolwyn has been jailed for eight months.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard Paul Perry, 36, from Runcorn, failed a breath test after officers arrived at the scene, last July. He admitted drink-driving and damaging a police vehicle while it was taking him to Dolgellau.

Elen Owen, prosecuting, said it was the fourth time he had failed a breath test. The barrister said the defendant was in a VW Golf on an unclassified road between Bryncrug and Abergynolwyn when it was involved in the incident which resulted in police being called.

Magistrates had committed the case for sentencing after hearing Perry was under a six-month suspended sentence following a domestic bust-up.

Jailing him for a total of eight months, Judge Niclas Parry said: “In September last year you were given a chance after a nasty domestic incident. You were half-way through the period of the suspended sentence and you got into your car and put lives at risk because you had been drinking.

“The offence is aggravated by the fact you have three previous convictions for drink-related matters.”

Perry was also banned from driving for three years and four months.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said he hadn’t planned to drive and was “foolish” to do so.

After the hearing investigating officer, WPC Catrin Lloyd of North Wales Police, said: “While most drivers are aware of the dangers of drink-driving, it is disappointing that a minority are persistently offending.”