A DRINK driver who was almost three times the alcohol limit told police he was 'concussed from playing rugby'.

Phillip Hill, of no fixed abode, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 31-year-old admitted offenses of driving without insurance and drink-driving, which took place in Mold on July 16.

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Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that on the day of the offence, police were alerted to an incident involving a Vauxhall Astra outside the Food Warehouse in Chester Road.

Officers spotted the defendant sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle.
He seemed "disoriented" and confused, telling officers he had concussion from playing rugby the day before.

A witness told officers he had been driving the vehicle around the car park and had collided with road signs.

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Roadside testing confirmed the defendant was over the alcohol limit and it was also discovered he had no insurance.

In custody, Hill provided an evidential sample of 104 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the limit being 35.

He said he had "no recollection" of colliding with any street furniture at the car park.

Alex MacKenzie, defending, told the court her client "struggles with alcohol misuse."

She explained: "He is medicated for that, due to dependency.
"At the time he was signed off sick from work and had just separated from his partner.

"He was living out of his car, effectively."

Ms MacKenzie send the defendant, a joiner, had already engaged with support services on a voluntary basis.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant: "This occurred in a car park here in Mold - damage was caused to street furniture.

The Leader:

"You are a man who has never been involved in any form of criminal proceedings before and you have obviously had some personal difficulties."

Hill received a 12 month community order with 130 hours of unpaid work and a 26 month driving ban.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.