A cab driver who was over twice the legal drink drive limit when he was caught carrying passengers before Christmas has been sentenced.
69-year-old Owen Huw Owen of Clynnog Road, Caernarfon was arrested shortly after midnight on Saturday 7 December whilst carrying passengers in his cab.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit were on the A487 in Bontnewydd carrying out roadside checks when the black Ford Modeo, being driven by Owen, was pulled into the layby as part of the operation.
He was stopped and provided a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to police custody where he was later charged with drink driving.
He appeared before Caernarfon Magistrates Court today where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12 month community order and must do 60 hours of unpaid work, £175 costs and has been disqualified from driving for 20 months.
Sergeant Trystan Bevan of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Owen not only risked his own life that night but also the lives of his passengers and other innocent road users.
“Despite our regular updates and publicity surrounding the Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive Campaign, Owen chose to take the risk and drive after consuming alcohol.
Far too many are still prepared to put their lives and those of other road users at risk.
“We are committed to tackling drink and drug driving throughout the year. In 2019 we made 996 drink drive and 1,048 drug drive arrests. Please help us to keep the roads safe all year round. Information from the public is crucial in tackling the issue, therefore if you know someone drives whilst under the influence, please do the right thing and report them by calling us on 101.”
If you suspect someone is driving while unfit to do so, please report it immediately to police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or phone it through anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Image credit: North Wales Police
