A FORMER Wales B rugby international has told a court that he “abhors drink-driving” after he was caught one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Ian Wynn Jones, of Carmarthen Road in Llandeilo, starred for Llanelli in the 1980s and 1990s and was on the fringes of the national side during the peak of his playing career.

Jones earned himself a place in the squad that faced Australia in 1992 alongside such greats as Ieuan Evans, Scott Gibbs and Robert Jones.

The 38-year-old had also been due to take part on the national team’s tour of Canada before his trip was cruelly cut short by injury on the eve of departure.

The dynamic full-back – known to the Stradey Park faithful as Spaceman – told officers he had drunk one bottle of lager when he was stopped by police while driving a red Peugeot at 11.10pm on January 16 near Tycroes.

He was taken to Carmarthen police station where tests showed he had 56 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Jones, who also played for Llandeilo, told magistrates in Llanelli that the offence as completely out of character.

“I am aware of the seriousness of drink-driving,” Jones told the court. “It is something I abhor.”

Jones admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Magistrates banned Jones from driving for 12 months and fined him £320.

Jones was also ordered to pay £87 court costs and a further £15 legal surcharge.

Jones accepted the magistrates’ offer of a place on a drink-drive awareness course, which if successfully completed, will see the length of his ban reduced by 25 percent.