Rugby's JPR Williams tries to fool breath test

MARTIN DE RUYTER/Nelson Mail

DRINK DRIVER: Wales rugby legend JPR Williams has been banned from driving for 17 months after a court heard he tried to beat the breathalyser test by putting copper coins in his mouth.

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Former Welsh rugby legend JPR Williams has been banned from driving for 17 months after a court heard he tried to beat the breathalyser test by putting copper coins in his mouth.

Williams, who played fullback for the great Welsh sides of the 1970s, was also fined £380 (NZ$818) after admitting a drink-driving charge, the Press Association reported early today (NZ time).

Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard the 61-year-old was stopped in his red Audi cabriolet after spending the day watching a rugby match.

Hannah Norton, prosecuting, said officers smelled alcohol on his breath and took him to a police station.

She said: "Mr Williams had to be instructed twice to remove items from his mouth, those being three one-penny coins.

"Your worships, there is a myth that copper from those coins can interfere with breathalyser machines at the police station."

A blood sample showed Williams had 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

The court heard Williams had been chauffeur-driven to London to watch a London Welsh match on January 30.

He was taken back to Cardiff where he had left his car and was stopped by police in the city while driving home to Llansannor, near Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Williams, who worked as a surgeon, was told to put his handbrake on when he was pulled over because he appeared not to realise his car was rolling backwards, the court heard.

Nigel Daniel, for Williams, said: "In what he now accepts was a very stupid and misconceived decision, he got in his car and headed home...

"Dr Williams was under the foolish misconception that after a four-hour journey he was now fit to drive."

Williams was "extremely remorseful," he said, adding: "He feels he has let his family down, his friends and of course those who hold him in high regard for his sporting prowess."

- Reuters