A CARE assistant found in the early hours of the morning slumped over the wheel of his car after drinking heavily at a work Christmas party has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Alex Christopher Bowdler, aged 28, was discovered by an off-duty police officer on the side of the B5472 Waunfawr to Clarach road asleep at the wheel of his green Ford Fiesta at 3.40am on Saturday, 12 December, Aberystwyth Magistrates Court has been told.

Bowdler, of Wallog Lodge, Wallog Road, Clarach, admitted drink-driving after being found to be more than double the legal limit when discovered at the side of the road.

Bowdler told police that he had been on a night out in Aberystwyth with work and “didn’t remember driving”.

In a prepared statement, Aberystwyth magistrates heard that Bowdler was “very sorry” and “very disappointed” in himself.

“I was on a work Christmas night out and drunk far too much than was good for me,” Bowdler said.

“I appreciate how serious the consequences could have been.”

Bowdler, who had a previously clean driving licence, was banned from driving for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of £260, a victim surcharge of £26 and £85 prosecution costs.