An Ammanford care-worker was more than twice the drink-drive limit when he crashed into a roadside bollard while being followed by police, magistrates have been told.

David Nigel Lloyd, of 2 Hall Street, had spent the evening drinking in Ammanford Social Club before getting behind the wheel.

Magistrates were told how officers became concerned when the 54-year-old failed to signal when approaching the Tesco roundabout at 9.50pm on January 22.

Lloyd then crashed into the bollard.

A roadside breath test showed he had 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Prosecuting, Sian Vaughan told the court that police spotted Lloyd driving toward Tesco’s roundabout on the A474.

“He failed to indicate which direction he was going,” said Miss Vaughn.

“Police followed the car and witnessed Lloyd attempt to take a sharp left - he failed - and his car then struck a bollard on the roundabout.”

Defending, David Elvy said Lloyd was a regular visitor to Ammanford Social Club and normally left his car there if he had a drink.

“But on this particular night it was raining and he wanted to make it to Lidl before the store closed at 10pm,” said Mr Elvy, "so he decided to make the short trip by car.

“His mobile phone was on the passenger seat, and as he approached the roundabout it either rang or he received a text message.

“He glanced down at the phone, for just a second, but then lost control of the car and hit the bollard on the roundabout.

Mr Elvy also told magistrates that Lloyd was employed as a care-worker and regularly drove service users to and from appointments.

“Being disqualified from driving will certainly have a serious impact on his work,” said Mr Elvy.

“However his employers have agreed not to let this matter affect his employment status.”

Magistrates disqualified Lloyd from driving for 24 months fined him £200.

He was also ordered him to pay £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.