Kington man who helped design breathalysers is banned for drink driving in Powys

 Richard Lacey admitted drink driving in a Peugeot on the A479 at Talgarth on November 23 2024, when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Lacey, who is now retired revealed he actually helped design breathalysers when he was in employment. He had to use one of the devices himself after police were called to the scene of a road traffic collision.

The 70 year-old of Bank House, Wallstytch Lane, Floodgates was found to have 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms.

Prosecuting, Mr Shane Maddocks said PC Williams and PC Webber were in the Brecon area when they received a call from a member of public to say the defendant had mounted a kerb at Talgarth roundabout. 

The car was removed off the roundabout. 

Officers said the defendant was ‘wobbly’ and the vehicle was damaged, the right wheel was twisted, which left the vehicle immobile. 

Lacey said he had had a couple of pints and a couple of glasses of wine with his lunch. He failed the roadside test and was arrested.

The court was told he had no previous convictions.

Representing himself, Lacey said “I’ve really got nothing to say. I misjudged how much I’d drunk.

“I had a couple of glasses of wine with lunch and a few pints of beer.

“I’m retired. I designed breathalysers and used to work with the police.”

Magistrates fined him £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from the road for 13 months and was offered the drink drive rehabilitation course.