TWIN brothers from Cardigan both admitted drinking in an alcohol-free zone in the town.

Christopher Robin Paul Watkinson, of 25 Golwg y Castell, and Terence Edward Watkinson, of 5 Pentop, both admitted drinking in the alcohol-free zone on 24 August, with their solicitor Alan Lewis saying the brothers didn’t realise area was included in the alcohol-free zone, especially as there is an outside seating area for a pub just yards away.

Christopher Watkinson also pleaded guilty to a second charge of drinking in an alcohol-free zone after he was seen by police drinking in the St Mary’s churchyard on 15 September.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the twin brothers, 45, were seen drinking cans by the river in Cardigan.

She said Christopher Watkinson had received two earlier warnings about drinking alcohol in zones but that after the two were told to stop drinking, they both finished cans they were drinking before being charged with the offence.

Ms Tench said Christopher Watkinson was seen on 15 September drinking in the churchyard with other people before being charged by the police.

Mr Lewis said both brothers had stayed out of trouble after moving from the Aberystwyth area.

He said on 24 August, the two had been drinking together just yards from a pub’s outside seating area without realising that they were drinking in an alcohol-free zone.

Christopher Watkinson hadn’t realised that the churchyard was included in the alcohol-free zone. He said Watkinson had been “out of the way” and had not meant to cause any disrespect.

Terence Watkinson was fined £40 by Aberystwyth magistrates and will pay costs of £115, while Christopher Watkinson was fined £100, with costs of £115.