Andy Powell given driving ban after golf buggy prank

Published: 11:04AM GMT 02 March 2010

Andy Powell Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Powell, the British Lions and Wales forward, was speckled by alternative motorists on the tough shoulder of the M4 at the back of the circle of the 20mph cart taken from his team"s hotel.

Cardiff magistrates listened the 6ft 4in player had motionless to go to main road services at 5.45am for "munchies" after a late-night celebration with group friends to applaud a thespian Wales feat over Scotland.

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He gathering a mile and a half in dark along the M4 prior to being stopped by military at the Cardiff West use station. The 17st 6lbs player was breath-tested and had 58 microrammes of alchohol in 100 millitres of breath. The authorised extent is 35.

On Tuesday, Powell pleaded guilty to pushing a mechanically-propelled car whilst being non-professional by drink.

Katie Pigeon, prosecuting, pronounced military found Powell sitting in the cart with a masculine friend.

"The military officer spoke to them and Powell said: "It wasn"t his fault. It was my idea. I"m an idiot, I know."

"His debate was slurred and his breath melt of intoxicants.

"Powell said: "Going down the M4 in a golf buggy, I"m a veteran rugby player. What have I done?""

Powell after told military he had been celebration in Cardiff city centre after the match. He said: "I took the cart as a antic but motionless to attend the services for a little munchies with a little friends.

"He pronounced he did not realize how dangerous it was at the time but right away realises how dangerous it was."

The justice listened Powell took the cart from the Wales group domicile at the four-star Vale Resort and Hotel at Miskin, nearby Cardiff.

Conrad Gadd, defending, pronounced it had been "a good day for Wales and the Welsh rugby team."

He added: "They snatched feat in the last mins and at the last alarm the feeling of well-being began.

"Beer is a tack of any rugby side and here there was some-more than a couple of pints of beer. Mr Powell was out until the early hours of the morning.

"By 5.30am he and one co-worker were hungry. There was no goal to expostulate but they got in the golf cart and Powell gathering it about a mile and a half to the services.

"He stayed on the tough shoulder. The cart was able of you do about 20mph but it was nowhere nearby that speed.

"Someone saw them and reported it to police. As shortly as the military arrived, he realised he had done a inapplicable designation and but perplexity he supposed blame."

Powell has given been forsaken from the Wales rugby patrol as a outcome of the incident.

Mr Gadd said: "He doesn"t know if he will be readmitted. He is in limbo. This isn"t bad pushing here, it is great driving."

Powell was criminialized from pushing for fifteen months and fined �1,000 with �85 costs and a �15 plant surcharge.

He pronounced after the case: "I entirely accept the preference and judgment of the court.

"In you do so I am wakeful of those whom I have let down by my actions and I again suggest a full open apology."

He added: "I realize that most immature sportsmen and women see up to general rugby players and that a little of them might be amused by my antics with a golf buggy.

"However, they should note my bewail and be wakeful that I do not forgive or acquit splash pushing in any form."