A LLAN Ffestiniog drink-driver failed to take a left-hand bend and collided with two vehicles, magistrates at Dolgellau heard.

Tomos Emrys Roberts, 24, of 5 Bryn Coed, Llan Ffestiniog pleaded guilty at Dolgellau Magistrates’ Court to driving with excess alcohol and to failing to stop after an accident on the A470 at around 10pm on 29 January.

Diane Williams, prosecuting, said that Roberts failed to take a left-hand bend and collided with two cars. Roberts and his brother who was in the car, made off, the court heard.

The occupants of the two damaged vehicles went after the Roberts brothers, but they denied any involvement in the crash. The defendant’s mother returned to the scene with the defendant. She told police that her son had returned home because he was suffering from asthma.

Roberts admitted he was driving and accepted responsibility. A breath test revealed he had 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, double the legal limit.

He admitted he had drunk between six and eight pints.

Hywel Davies, defending, said his client had no recollection of driving and said that he had the car keys in his pocket and that was why he took the car.

The defendant’s brother was also breathalysed, but was under the legal limit, the court heard.

Mr Davies said there was a reason why his client had made off, claiming that he was afraid of being assaulted by the occupants of the other vehicles.

The crown prosecutor Diane Williams intervened saying that the victims caught up with the defendant and his brother and that they denied being involved.

They tried to get hold of them as they were trying to get away and wanted them to remain until the police arrived. “The victims didn’t want to release them, but they got away and the police eventually found them,” added the prosecutor.

Roberts, was fined £260 for drink-driving and £175 for failing to stop after an accident, with £85 costs and £26 victim surcharge.

He was given a 20-month driving ban.