A MAN who fell asleep in his car after getting lost in Wrexham was found to be more than four times the drink-drive limit.

James Bodsworth, of Eaton Road in Handbridge, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday for sentence.

The 59-year-old had previously admitted that on May 11 he was in charge of a motor vehicle at Summer Hill Road, Summerhill, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

Molly Rumsey, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence, a member of the public noticed Bodsworth sitting in his Kia Xceed and went to check on him after being concerned for his welfare.

The witness banged on the vehicle's window, prompting Bodsworth to "slump forwards" and open the door.

READ MORE: 'You'd have known the risks' - Drug dealer jailed after police raid family home

He appeared intoxicated, and the witness took the car keys until the police arrived.

Bodsworth was found to have 144 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35.

Probation officer Pamela Roberts said: "He had been living and working in Spain for the last 28 years, but returned to look after his elderly parents.

"He has a diagnosis of acute anxiety and was at home alone.

"After drinking one-and-a-half shots of vodka, he felt he needed to leave the property and believed he was ok to drive.

"He gets very confused by the Wrexham road structure and got lost, ending up in Summerhill.

"He suffered a panic attack and as there was already alcohol in the car, he consumed it."

Melissa Griffiths, defending, told the court: "His plan, I think, having drunk the vodka was to then call a taxi home - but he fell asleep in the meantime.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter

The Leader:

"He has suffered poor mental health for some time and has had some traumatic events in the last few years including a very upsetting breakup with his former girlfriend.

"He very much regrets the matter and is hugely embarrassed to be before the court.

"This has been a huge lesson for him."

Bodsworth was handed a £200 fine for the offence, and was ordered to pay £85 costs as well as a £80 victim surcharge.

He was also handed a six month driving ban.