Powys man who ran from police after speeding through a red light was over drink drive limit

A Powys man who ran from police after driving at speed through a red light, was over the drink drive limit.

Lee Davies admitted driving an Audi A4 on Wellington Road on October 8 2026 while over the drink drive limit when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 31 year-old of Trefonen Way had 47 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35 micrograms.

Prosecuting, Ms Kelly Pratt said on October 8 police officers were on mobile patrol in the early hours in a marked police vehicle. They were in the Valero petrol station when they saw the Audi A4 travelling at speed and contravening a traffic light, which was red.

“They drove to catch up with the vehicle and it continued on its route of travel towards Howey. They signalled for the car to come to a stop on Wellington Road and two males decamped the vehicle and made off on foot.

“The officers pursued the driver of the vehicle and kept observations of him during the short pursuit and they pursued the passenger. The driver appeared intoxicated and he said; 'I have had a pint'.

He was arrested and the reading was 47 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.”

The court was told Davies has no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Mr Gavin Cook said Davies is a relatively young man with a young family.

“It is an aggravating feature that someone else was in the car with him and the driving was bad but it was only a one mile drive to his father's house. This was out of character for him.

“He mentioned at the roadside that he had been drinking and he co-operated fully after that.”

Mr Cook said Davies is between jobs at the moment, having previously worked for the water board but he is now looking for employment.

Magistrates fined him £120 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 14 months although he was offered the chance to attend the drink drive rehabilitation course.