A DRINK-DRIVER who crashed into the back of another vehicle during rush hour was part of a three-vehicle collision which caused miles of tailbacks on the A483.

Martin Roberts, 36, of Clawdd Poncen, Corwen, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, September 14.

He was driving a Mercedes Sprinter flat-bed van and had been involved in the three-vehicle collision on Wednesday, August 29, on the Chester-bound carriageway between the Belgrave junction and the Posthouse Roundabout on the A483 just after 5pm.

At the time, the collision caused tailbacks which stretched back to Gresford.

Magistrates handed Roberts a 16-month driving ban and fined him £120.

Prosecuting, Kerry Pepperell said Roberts identified himself to police officers at the scene, he was breath tested and taken into custody.

The lowest reading was 57 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, compared to the legal limit of 35.

When spoken to in police interview, Roberts – who had no previous convictions – said he had had a rough few days in work and had been drinking, but did not believe he was drunk.

He said he had driven into the back of the vehicle in front of him on the A483.

Roberts, who represented himself, had nothing to add, but had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

As well as the fine, Roberts must pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was also offered the chance to go on the drink-driver rehabilitation course, which would reduce his driving ban to 12 months.