Taxi driver's career over after he was pulled over for drink driving while carrying passengershttps://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north- ... r-17578745Owen Huw Owen from Trefor near Caernarfon was stopped at Bontnewydd while police were carrying out a Christmas drink-drive campaign
Image: Daily Post WalesA taxi carrying three passengers was being driven by a man who was more than twice the drink-drive limit.
Police carried out a spot check on the Ford Mondeo vehicle being driven by Owen Huw Owen on the A487 at Bontnewydd near Caernarfon late on December 7 as part of the annual anti-drink drive campaign over Christmas and New Year .
Magistrates at Caernarfon heard Owen gave a positive roadside breath test.
Owen, 69, of Clynnog Road, Trefor near Caernarfon, had said it may have been the effects of a mouthwash Diane Williams, prosecuting, said.
A taxi from another firm was summoned to take the passengers on their journey.
Further tests carried out at a police station after Owen was arrested showed he had 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Owen, who has no previous convictions, admitted the offence.
Michael Strain, defending, said: "He is very, very embarrassed to be here and is very ashamed."
The solicitor said Owen had drunk some wine with the evening meal he had eaten earlier that evening.
A retired mechanic, he supplemented his state pension with taxi driving, added Mr Strain.
Handing in character references, Mr Strain said Owen is highly thought of in the local community and urged the court to deal with him by way of a fine and a driving disqualification.
Bench chairman Gordon Browne said the offence of drink driving was always viewed seriously by the court and was aggravated by the work Owen was carrying out.
"You were in a very responsible position and you have let yourself down badly," he said.
Owen was made the subject of a 12-month community order and must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work. He must also attend 15 days of rehabilitation to address alcohol awareness and poor decision making and pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £175.
Banning him from driving for 20 months Mr Browne warned him not to drive whilst disqualified.
Owen' s taxi-driving licence was issued by Gwynedd County Council . After the hearing a council spokesman said: “We welcome the outcome of today’s case which reflects the seriousness of the crime.
"The safety of the public is of paramount importance to the Council, and we would like to thank the police and the court for their decisive action.
"Naturally the council would not approve any request to renew the individual’s taxi licence.”
Sergeant Trystan Bevan of North Wales Police added: “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."
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