A Machynlleth drink-driver who started pulling off with his young daughter in the car was reported to police by his partner, magistrates have heard.

Gwion Wyn Jones, 27, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on Penrallt Street in Machynlleth on 26 December where police found his car parked near his home.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Jones had been drinking in Aberystwyth while his partner visited family and, when she was driving them back, he asked her to stop so he could speak to his grandmother.

Ms Tench said Jones, of 11 Maes Dyfi, got involved in an argument with his grandmother which his partner tried to intervene in, leaving their daughter in the car and the engine running.

However, Jones then walked away and got in the driver’s seat.

His partner tried to tell him to stop as he had been drinking and tried to get their daughter out of the back seat, but Jones started driving a short distance.

Ms Tench said Jones then stopped to allow his partner to get the child out of the car before he drove off. She then called the police.

A breath test showed Jones had 63 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates heard that Jones had a previous drink-drive conviction more than nine years ago, but as it was within 10 years he would be subject to an extended driving ban.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Jones accepted that he had been driving after drinking, even though he had not been seen by police.

She said: “He realises his behaviour was unacceptable.”

Ms Hanson said Jones had not drunk since the incident as he thought that his drinking was starting to become an issue.

While Jones, who works in retail, is hopeful he will be able to keep his job, Ms Hanson said a driving ban would make family life more difficult.

Jones was banned from driving for 36 months. He was also fined £240 and will pay costs of £115.