A DRUG-DRIVER who worked as a chauffeur for leading politicians had driven through a village and into a field where his car became grounded on rocks, a court heard today.

Neil Twomey, 49, of Grove Lane, Ipswich, was ordered to do 50 hours unpaid work, banned for a year and has to pay £1,000 compensation because the farmland had just been re-seeded.

He must also pay £295 costs after admitting drug-driving in a Ford Focus at Llanarmon DC, near Llangollen, and criminal damage on May 25 last year.

Prosecutor Sara Worland told magistrates at Llandudno that he appeared to be foaming at the mouth and amphetamine was in his system.

Defence solicitor Euros Jones said Twomey had been divorced after 20 years of marriage and found it “very tough” during lockdown. He’d promised to pay compensation to the farmer. Police had decided at first to take no action against him and he was distressed to be charged later.

Mr Jones added that he had been a chauffeur of high standing for “high-end” politicians, working with the police. He was now back on track and wanted to drive again.