THE loss of a Llandovery civil engineer’s driving licence would have “devastating consequences” for him and his family, Llanellimagistrates were told.

Thomas Carwyn Williams was stopped by police as he drove away from Llandovery Rugby Club and provided a positive breath test, the court heard.

Hewas foundto be slightlyover the limit and would probably lose his job as a result, defence solicitor Stephen Lloyd told the hearing.

“The calculation that he made that was just on thewrong side of the legal limit will have devastating consequences for a family who are valuable, law-abiding members of their community,” he said.

Williams, aged 51, of Awel y Coed, Cilgwyn Road, was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £500 after pleading guilty to driving with 129mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine – the legal limit is 107.

The defendant, a junior rugby coach at Llandovery’s Church Bank headquarters, was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor EllieMorgan said officers on patrol in Broad Street carried out a routine stop-check on the defendant’s Mitsubishi Warrior at 10.10pm on October 6.

MrLloyd described the offence as “totally out of character”. He added: “Myclient has been driving since the age of 17 and in all that time he has only receivedtwo fixed penalties on his licence. He drives around 30,000 miles a year and his driving record is excellent.

“He has worked for the same firm for the past 23 years, but in view of the disqualification that must be imposed it’s inconceivable he’ll be able to keep his job.”