Scientist who helped design breathalysers banned from driving for failing one

A scientist who helped design breathalysers has been banned from driving for failing a roadside test.

Retired Dr Richard Lacey, 70, admitted drinking a few glasses of wine and a couple of pints with his lunch before getting behind the wheel on November 23.

His Peugeot later mounted a roundabout on the A479 near Talgarth, in Powys, Wales. Damage to one of the wheels rendered it immobile.

Lacey told Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court he helped design breathalysers and used to work with law enforcement.

Representing himself at the hearing, Lacey said: ‘I’ve really got nothing to say. I misjudged how much I’d drunk.

‘I had a couple of glasses of wine with lunch and a few pints of beer.

‘I’m retired. I designed breathalysers and used to work with the police.’

Prosecutor Shane Maddocks said Lacey, of Kington, was described as ‘wobbly’ when police arrived on the scene.

‘The car had been removed off the roundabout. The defendant had definitely been drinking and was wobbly,’ he went on.

‘The vehicle was damaged, its right wheel was twisted, which had rendered the vehicle immobile.

‘The defendant said he had drunk a couple of pints and a bottle of wine. He failed the roadside breath test and was arrested.’

Mr Maddocks said Lacey had no previous convictions.

The proportion of alcohol in Lacey’s breath was recorded as 41 micrograms – exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.

Lacey was disqualified from driving for 13 months; he can reduce this ban by 13 weeks if he completes a drink drive awareness course.

He was also fined £600 and told to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

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