Ex-JP banned from driving

Rowlands' "erratic driving" concerned witnesses

A magistrate who left the bench after being caught drink-driving has been banned for two years. .

Martin Huw Rowlands was caught at the wheel of his silver BMW while three-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Barry Magistrates Court was told that Rowlands - a Justice of the Peace in neighbouring Cardiff at the time of the offence - had been in an emotional state because he had recently separated from his wife.

The £40,000-a-year finance worker resigned as a magistrate in Cardiff - a post he had held since 1996 - shortly after being caught in July.

The court heard he had started drinking heavily at a charity function. Although he took a taxi home, he later decided to drive his silver BMW to a friend's house.

Rowlands, 38, of Pencisely Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to do 80 hours of community service.

The court heard he drove a mile from his home to stay with a friend because he felt "lonely and extremely emotional" after his wife separated from him.

He now feels a sense of shame and has lost his good character and reputation Solicitor Declan McSorely

Witnesses saw him swerving across the road and driving close to the kerbside.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Jones said: "Motorists behind him were so concerned at his erratic driving they thought he was having a heart attack.

"Another driver alerted the police who later found Rowlands parked at the roadside near his home. He was heavily intoxicated and his speech was quite slurred."

Rowlands was breathalysed where he had 121 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

It was one of the highest levels ever recorded in the South Wales Police force area.

His case was transferred from Cardiff Magistrates Court to nearby Barry because Rowlands, a financial consultant, had been a JP in the area.

'Struggled to cope'

The court heard he had given up his role as a magistrate since the incident.

Explaining the background to Rowlands' actions, solicitor Declan McSorely said : "His marriage of seven years is subject to a divorce and following the unexpected separation he has struggled to cope.

"He felt lonely in his own home and decided to see a friend at his home a mile away. He was extremely emotional.

"He took leave of his senses and in a momentary lapse of reason got into his vehicle to drive to his friend. He was extremely emotional and drive for 700 yards through traffic lights.

"He came to his senses and parked his vehicle. He now feels a sense of shame and has lost his good character and reputation and feels an acute sense of remorse."