AN electrician from Powys faces an uncertain future regarding his job after he was disqualified from driving.

George Clarke, from Newtown, admitted drink driving at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week. The 26-year-old was slightly over the limit but will now be banned for 12 months.

Clarke, of Crescent Gardens, Newtown, was stopped on Canal Road at around 2am on April 1 driving a BMW 1 Series.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said on Tuesday, April 16, police officers pulled Clarke over and, having done so, smelled alcohol. He provided a positive test and was arrested.

The reading provided by Clarke was 40 micrograms of alcohol in breath – just over the limit, which is 35 micrograms.

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Mrs Tench said: “This is in the lowest category. He has no previous convictions.”

Owain Jones, defending Clarke, said: “He had drunk some alcohol earlier that evening. He had allowed time to pass and believed he was fit to drive.

“It was a foolish mistake, he clearly didn’t leave enough time. There was no evidence of bad driving but he knows it’s a serious offence and it will have a serious effect on his employment.

“He is an electrician and has a works van, so a ban will have an effect on his income for the coming year. He has tarnished his reputation.”

Clarke will be banned for a year, but he can reduce this to nine months if he completes a drink drive awareness course.

Magistrates also fined him £300 and told him to pay a £120 surcharge and £85 costs.