By Matt Jones and Filipa Gaspar
A man who helped design breathalyzers has been banned for drunk driving – after failing a roadside breath test.
Richard Lacey, 70, appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of drunk driving, in Powys, Wales, last month.
Lacey, who is now retired revealed he helped design breathalyzers when he was in employment.
He had to use one of the devices after police were called to the scene of a road traffic collision on the A479 near Talgarth on November 23.
Lacey had mounted a roundabout in his Peugeot damaging a wheel and leaving the vehicle completely immobile.
The defendant told the court on Tuesday, December 17, that he’d drunk a couple of glasses of wine and a couple of pints with his lunch, prior to the accident.
Prosecutor Shane Maddocks said Lacey, of Wallstytch Lane, Kington, was described as “wobbly” when police arrived on the scene.
“PC Williams and PC Webber were on patrol in the Brecon area; they received a call from a member of the public, reporting that the defendant had mounted the curb at a Talgarth roundabout,” said Maddocks.
“The car had been removed off the roundabout. The defendant had definitely been drinking and was wobbly.
“The vehicle was damaged, its right wheel was twisted, which had rendered the vehicle immobile.
“The defendant said he had drunk a couple of pints and a bottle of wine. He failed the roadside breath test and was arrested.”
Maddocks said Lacey had no previous convictions.
The proportion of alcohol in Lacey’s breath was recorded as 41 micrograms – exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.
Representing himself at the hearing, 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 breathalyzers and used to work with the police.”
Lacey was disqualified from driving for 13 months; he can reduce this ban by 13 weeks if he completes a drink drive awareness course.
He was also fined £600 and told to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.
