A WREXHAM man got behind the wheel whilst almost twice the alcohol limit after an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard.

Kian Davies, of Penrallt in Pentre Broughton, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old admitted that on March 30 at New Road in Wrexham, he drove a Fiat 500 after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 2am on the day of the offence, police spotted Davies.

He appeared to be driving "at speed" and his rear lights were not illuminated.

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As such, he was pulled over - and when he got out of the vehicle, he "stumbled."

Officers noted he also smelled of alcohol.

He provided an evidential reading of 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35.

In mitigation, the court heard Davies, a factory worker, had an argument with his girlfriend immediately prior to the incident - and had made the foolish decision to get behind the wheel.

But he was "cooperative at the roadside and at the police station," and had entered his guilty plea at the first opportunity.

He also had "no previous convictions whatsoever," it was said.

District Judge Ibram Hussain told the defendant: "It's very sad and disappointing to see you at court today.

"You're otherwise a good citizen. This behaviour is extraordinary for you.

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"What you did was dangerous; you were almost double the limit.

"We read regularly in the press how people have tragic consequences for this sort of crime.

"I am sure you have learned your lesson."

Davies received a £300 fine and must pay a £120 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.

He was banned from driving for 17 months.