An Ammanford drink-driver has been described by a Crown Court judge as ‘selfish and dangerous’ after downing spirits and beer before driving down the M4.

Steven Rees had spent the evening of March 26 drinking with friends in Neath before getting into his van, accompanied by a female passenger, and driving westbound.

But at the Penllergaer junction he rammed into the rear of a Ford Fiesta, drove past it on the driver’s side smashing off the wing mirror before cutting sharply in front and flipping onto two wheels. He then shot across the slip road, left the carriageway and careered into the A48. Rees’ van eventually landed on its side on the duel carriageway, directly in the path of an approaching car.

He was seen by the Ford Fiesta driver shouting and screaming as he attempted to smash the windscreen. He and his passenger were eventually freed by firefighters.

A subsequent breath test confirmed that Rees had been driving whilst almost twice the drink-driving limit.

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Commenting on the case, Judge Jeremy Jenkins told Rees it was ‘extremely worrying’ that he had decided to drive given his level of intoxication. He said a custodial sentence was not only appropriate but inevitable.

Steven Martin Rees, of Rhyd Wen, Rhosamman, Ammanford, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins told Rees it was "extremely worrying" that he had decided to get behind the wheel of his van given his level of intoxication, and he described his behaviour as "selfish and dangerous".

The judge said a custodial sentence was not only appropriate but inevitable, and the only question to be decided was whether that sentence had to be served immediately or could be suspended.

With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas Rees was sentenced to a total of 10 months in prison suspended for 18 months and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and a thinking skills programme. He must also do 180 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay £420 in prosecution costs. Rees was banned from driving for three years, and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.