Police have been criticised after a man caught drink driving was kept in custody for most of a weekend.

Craig Sheppard-Crook was stopped by police in Royal Wootton Bassett just before 1pm on Saturday, July 9.

Officers noticed a smell of alcohol and carried out a roadside breath test, which was positive.

The man from Cardiff was then arrested, but was not bailed to appear in court at a later date after being charged.

Instead, he was kept in custody and taken to court on the ‘overnight’ list on Monday, July 11, usually reserved for people arrested on warrants over the weekend.

District Judge Joanna Dickens appeared confused as to why the 29-year-old was not released on police bail.

Sheppard-Crook’s solicitor, Mark Glendenning, added: “I’m not entirely certain why, apart from the police said it was his second drink driving conviction.

“I assume fear of committing further offences.”

But DJ Dickens observed: “I don’t think that’s a reason, unless they’re going to give him the keys to the vehicle.”

Swindon Magistrates’ Court had earlier been told that Sheppard-Crook, of Grand Avenue, was caught driving the Skoda Fabia on Skew Bridge at about 12.55pm on July 9.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said he had 59 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – more than the legal limit of 35.

He also told the court of the 29-year-old’s one previous conviction for drink driving in January 2019.

Providing more context, Mr Glendenning said: “He and his partner were out, they had some form of argument and she demanded to be taken home.

“There wasn’t sufficient time for him to be sober.”

He added his conviction will cause the apprentice bricklayer “some problems” as his tools are in the back of his vehicle, and he will have trouble getting to work.

Sheppard-Crook had pleaded guilty to one count of drink driving.

Sentencing, DJ Dickens said: “This is an idiotic decision on your part, and you are still a young man.

“You’ve got a previous conviction recently for a very similar thing.

“Honestly, you should know better.”

DJ Dickens banned Sheppard-Crook from the roads for three years – the mandatory minimum for a second drink driving offence.

She offered him an awareness course, which she admitted she should not but added: “It’s going to help everybody if you stop reoffending.”

The Welshman was also given a £100 fine – reduced because he was kept in custody when he should not have been – and orders to pay £85 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge.