A 58-year-old Brynaman electrician has been banned from driving after he was caught marginally over the limit by police.

Bernard Robert Worrell, of 29 Park Street, told police he had waited in the Farmers’ Arms in Glanaman until 1.20am in the belief that he would be able to drive.

Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, told Llanelli court how officers had spotted Worrell leaving the pub car park in a Fiat Scudo van during the early hours of February 22.

After following for a short distance, they ordered him to stop and immediately noted the smell of alcohol on his breath. His speech was also slurred.

Worrel failed a roadside test and was taken to Llanelli police station where two breath tests proved inconclusive.

A urine test showed Worrell had 134 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107.

Gary Jones, defending, told magistrates that the offence was Worrell’s first in his driving history.

“He has been driving for 40 years without a single incident,” Mr Jones told the court.

“There is no allegation of bad driving or anything similar, the officer decided to pull him over simply because he saw him drive out of a pub car park at that hour.”

Mr Jones said Worrell had had no intention of driving over the limit.

“He is very friendly with the people who run the pub and had called in and had a drink.

“He stayed for a long time after closing time thinking that the time he spent there would have brought him back under the limit.

“It was a mistake and a case of simple bad judgement.

“This has been a salutary lesson and he accepts entirely the case against him.”

Worrell pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence.

Magistrates banned Worrell from driving for 12 months and fined him £300.

He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 legal surcharge.