Drink-driver caught one month after drug-driving

A MAN has avoided being jailed after he was caught while twice the drinkdrive limit only a month after being caught for driving under the influence of drugs.

Simon Fry-bradley, of Woodland Road, Ystradowen, was stopped by police in Station Road, Glanamman, while driving his Ford Focus after officers spotted only one headlight was working at 2.42am on November 24.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court said: “Officers spoke to the driver, who was the defendant and took a roadside sample of breath.

“The result was positive and in custody he was tested again and the lowest reading was 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath.” The legal limit is 35. Fry-bradley, 28, admitted the offence in interview and pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and guilty to having no insurance.

District judge Christopher James said the offences were “a deliberate flouting of a court order”.

Adding: “The drinkdriving offence was committed a month after a drug-drive offence he was convicted of in October.

“Not only was he driving while disqualified but also twice the legal drinkdrive limit.”

A probation service report into Fry-bradley’s personal circumstances heard that on the date of the drink-drive offence he had been dealt some bad personal news.

The court heard he was remorseful for his action but was struggling with alcohol and drugs.

Defence solicitor Gareth Jones said: “For 10 years he had no problems but recently he has seemed to be slipping back into drink and drugs.”

He told the court Frybradley was a builder who worked away most of the time in Gloucester.

In sentencing, Mr James said: “The fact this offence was committed a month after a drug-drive offence significantly aggravates the situation.

“However, I note there was nothing poor about the standard of your driving and you have shown genuine remorse.

“Only a custodial sentence is appropriate in this case.

“However, I am able to suspend that sentence for a period of 12 months.”

Fry-bradley was given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for three years

For driving while disqualified he was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and 25 days rehabilitation.

For having no insurance, his licence will be endorsed.