A JOINER who was taken out by friends to “perk him up” decided to drive home from Wrexham to Glyn Ceiriog.

But he was spotted taking an open bottle of beer into the vehicle and was stopped by police.

He was found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit.

James David Anderson-Mitchell, 34, of Llwyn Onn, Fron Deg in Glyn Ceiriog, admitted driving with 80 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath compared to the legal limit of 35.

He was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £120 with £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

Magistrates said it was a shame because he lived in a rural area and a ban would mean he would “really struggle”.

But they had no discretion – it was a mandatory disqualification.

Prosecutor Justin Espie said it was 3am on December 10 that police at Wrexham pulled over a Renault Megane after CCTV operators saw him getting into the vehicle with an open bottle of beer.

He provided a positive breath test, was arrested and provided a reading of 80 microgrammes on his arrest.

Stephen Edwards, defending, told North East Wales Magistrates Court at Mold that it had been a difficult year for his client.

Unfortunately he had been diagnosed with diabetes and it had taken a number of months for the treatment to stabilise.

It had been a substantial knock to his confidence and it had substantially affected his ability to work.

He hoped 2019 would be a better year going forward.

The solicitor said Anderson-Mitchell had always been a hard worker, was a proud man and had never claimed benefits.

He was determined to get back to work.

Mr Edwards said Anderson-Mitchell had gone back to live with his parents in the Glyn Ceiriog area.

That night he was out with two friends he had known a long time.

They took the view that he was in low spirit and they tried to perk him up in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Edwards said they had a pleasant night but he decided to drive back to Glyn Ceiriog.

Fortunately for him he was seen and was stopped very quickly. Therefore the danger to himself his friends and to others was limited.

“He felt fine but many people have said that over the years,” said Mr Edwards.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing. He accepts the punishment that must follow.”