The remorse is there and it's still there and will be for a long time

Defending counsel Robert Powell

Defending, Robert Powell said Smith, of New Dock Road, Llanelli, had not wittingly driven while drunk, and was "deeply ashamed" of the incident.

Smith, who pleaded guilty to the incident in front of Llanelli magistrates, was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

He was caught by police when he parked outside the school on 15 April 2002.

Officers were carrying out routine checks in the area, and smelled alcohol on Smith's breath.

"He was emotional, crying and uttering words the officer could not understand," said Mandy Tobias, prosecuting.

"He was in a mild state of drunkenness," added Ms Tobias, who also told the court Smith had 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Disqualification

Mr Powell said his client had been drinking up until 11pm on the previous night, and had 'no inkling' he was over the limit.

"The remorse is there and it's still there and will be for a long time," Mr Powell added:

This will serve to warn everybody that you've got to be careful what you do

Smith's former boss Idwal Roberts

"On this weekend, he may have spent too much time on his own," he said.

Smith, who had been working as a part-time driver for Robert Coaches of Burry Port since 1986.

He was sacked after his conviction, and his former boss Idwal Roberts described him as a "very meek sort of person".

"He obviously didn't know he was over the limit," said Mr Roberts.

"The obvious thing is that you can't condone drinking and driving.

"This will serve to warn everybody that you've got to be careful what you do."