A HEARTBROKEN 26-yearold Penygroes man drowned his sorrows with cans of lager before crashing his car into a parked vehicle after being dumped by his long-term girlfriend, magistrates have been told.

Carl Davies, of 21 Gate Road, decided to go for a latenight spin in his Peugeot 306 estate after his partner of five years walked out on him.

Carmarthen magistrates were told Davies collided with the parked car on High Street, Tumble, at 1.45am on March 15.

Davies initially fled the scene, but was seen by witnesses heading towards Rhos Newydd.

Police inquiries led officers to a nearby property, where Davies was discovered.

When confronted, Davies said: “I’m sorry I ran off. I panicked.”

Breath tests showed he had 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Robin Reed, defending, told magistrates that Davies had been deeply affected by the end of his long-term relationship and losing his job at the end of February.

“He had just split with his girlfriend of five years – literally on the day of the incident and had been drinking cans of lager at home,” said Mr Reed.

“At the end of February he lost his job and these two things together had a major effect on him.

“In the early hours, he decided to take a drive to Tumble and he hit a parked car.

“The airbag went off– he was in shock and he panicked.

“He ended up going to a friend’s house nearby.”

The court was told Davies had previously been banned from driving for two years following his conviction for drink-driving in 2006.

Davies admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Magistrates banned him from getting behind the wheel for three years and fined him £110.

Davies was also ordered to pay £85 court coasts and a £15 legal surcharge.