A Powys man has been convicted of being drunk in charge of a bicycle after he rode the aforementioned bicycle into the side of a 4x4 vehicle.
Adrian Lloyd, 61, of Penybryn, Crossgates, admitted the offence when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 17th December 2024.
Given the (apparent) wording of the charge, it would appear that CPS lawyers have dusted off the statute books to bring this prosecution under section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872. The maximum sentence on summary conviction is a fine at level 1 (£200) or up to one month in custody.
Magistrates heard that Lloyd was riding a Raleigh electrical assisted pedal cycle at the time of the offence. That being the case the choice of charge - which by definition requires a defendant who is not riding - seems a bit unusual, but I'm sure there must be some logic behind it - I mean it's not as if the CPS would ever lay the incorrect charge (wink, wink). Even if it did, it's not as if the court would not realise (nudge, nudge).
Shane Maddocks, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was seen by an officer cycling on the A483 along Tremont Road.
"The officer noticed he was riding on the wrong side of the road, there was a 4x4 vehicle on the road.
"As he approached a roundabout, the officer had seen the defendant getting up off the floor and pushing his bike; it seems he had collided with the 4x4.
"A roadside breath test was positive. There was damage to the vehicle, approximately £500, with scratches caused to the 4x4."
Owain Jones, mitigating, said: "He remembers the incident; he fell, he was drunk at the time and he's sorry for it.
"I've had fun researching old law which states that the punishment for this offence should be 10 shillings.
"It's an old law but I think it has been revised."
Despite the severity of his offence, Magistrates decided to spare Lloyd custody on this occasion.
He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £200 compensation, £16 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
Leaving the courtroom, the defendant cheerily told the Magistrates: "Have a lovely Christmas and god bless you."
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