Anti-drink drive group critical of Andy Powell award

Andy Powell appeared in court in March

Rugby star Andy Powell has received an award for putting his county "on the map" just weeks after he was banned from driving.

Powell, from Brecon, was banned for 15 months in March after driving a golf buggy while unfit through drink.

Powys council recognised his "special achievements" on the pitch, and said his conviction was not ignored during the event, which also praised children.

But the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving said it was "most lamentable".

Powell was arrested at services at junction 33 of the M4 near the Wales team hotel in the Vale of Glamorgan.

He was taken into custody after Wales' dramatic victory over Scotland in a Six Nations match in February.

Powell pleaded guilty before Cardiff magistrates last month, and as well as the ban was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Speaking as one who lost an 18-year-old son through the selfish action of a drink driver who knocked him off his cycle, I think this decision by Powys council is wrong, and most lamentable

Carol Marr, the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving

The golf buggy had been taken from the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort, where team members stayed before and after the match.

Following his arrest, Powell was dropped from the Wales squad, and after his court case apologised for his actions.

But Powys council's decision to present him with an award weeks later has been criticised by the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving (CADD).

Spokeswoman Carol Marr, whose 18-year-old son was knocked down and killed by a drink driver, said: "Powys council obviously have very short, or warped, memories if they are prepared to award Mr Andy Powell as a shining example of one whose achievements are to be recognised as 'putting Powys on the map'.

'Impressionable'

"Speaking as one who lost an 18-year-old son through the selfish action of a drink driver who knocked him off his cycle, I think this decision by Powys council is wrong and most lamentable.

"What sort of signal is this sending out to young impressionable people who will be looking up to him?"

Powell was recognised by Powys council at a special evening last Friday honouring young people in the county for their achievements.

The authority's chairman David Price presented 29 certificates to youngsters, but the evening also "recognised the special achievements by individuals who have put Powys on the map".

Mr Price was asked why, in light of his recent court appearance, Powell had been chosen for an award.

Rugby stars

Mr Price said: "Nominations for the special recognition awards have been discussed since May 2009.

"Andy Powell has had great success on the rugby pitch over many years, coming back from adversity on several occasions. It is this determination in adversity that was recognised in many of the youngsters which attended the evening.

"I would like to highlight again the great achievements of the youngsters that we were there to celebrate.

"Andy did not attend the evening as he was playing rugby at the time - his mother accepted the award on his behalf. The drink drive conviction was not ignored on the evening and was used to illustrate the penalty paid for such an incident.

"The young people attending the evening were made aware and told that it is important to admit your mistakes and to learn from them."

Fellow rugby stars Adam Jones, Mark Jones, and Dan Lydiate, who also come from the county, were also recognised.

Powell did not attend the ceremony, but he was represented by his mother.

Among the other people recognised were 2007 X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts.