A LOTTERY millionaire was caught drink-driving after being shopped by his new luxury Mercedes.
Father-of-three Kevin Jones, 58, downed cider before taking his plush £51,000 motor for a country drive.
Nigel IskanderKevin Jones, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales, scooped over £1.2 million[/caption]
PAJones being presented with his cheque after winning big on the People’s Postcode Lottery[/caption]
Nigel IskanderJones splashed out on a £51,000 new car after the win[/caption]
But the car’s automatic telematics system raised the alarm when Jones span off the road and crashed into a stream.
Police called to the scene found the car in the water – with Jones “unsteady on his feet” before being breathalysed.
A court has now banned him from driving.
Jones had bought his Mercedes C220 AMG, which automatically reported the accident on May 15, after scooping £1,210,914 on the People’s Postcode lottery in January.
He was the only player in the full winning postcode in Llandrindod Wells, Powys in Wales. Each ticket was worth £403,638 – but he luckily bought three.
The former motor engineer, Britain’s biggest winner in the competition, is now “retired and lives on his investments”, the magistrates court in the town was told.
Prosecutor James Sprunks said the car alerted police after Jones crashed through a bridge and landed in a stream at about 6pm.
The court heard Jones had drunk four or five cans of cider earlier and “thought he was fine to drive” to take his daughter home from a family visit.
“Police received a Telematics call from the car talking to the police station regarding an accident near Llanbadarn Fynydd,” said Mr Sprunks.
“An officer who was first on the scene spoke to the defendant who was the owner of the Mercedes.
“There was an adult female passenger and the car had ended up in a river following a sharp offside bend.
“The defendant was unsteady on his feet and was slurring his words; the officer formed the opinion he was under the influence.
“A breath test was positive and he was arrested.”
Mr Sprunks said Jones had 12 previous convictions for 20 offences, including a number of road traffic offences, with the last in 1995.
The alcohol reading provided by Jones was 55 micrograms in breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Huw Williams, representing Jones, said he had been driving his daughter home to Newtown from Llandrindod at about 5.30pm when the accident happened.
“He told officers he had drunk about 4-5 cans of dark fruits cider earlier that day, between 11am-12pm,” said Mr Williams.
“He rarely drinks but had a few that morning. He honestly didn’t think he’d be over the limit.”
He said Jones was getting used to a new set of tyres on the plush Mercedes fitted with the high-tech GPS and wireless communications which automatically alerts on problems.
Mr Williams said: “He came round a corner and the back end slid towards bridge. He couldn’t correct it and crashed through barriers and into the brook. He suffered a slight concussion.”
Mr Williams said Jones cooperated with police and told them “I am very sorry and thank you for doing a good job”.
“He is ashamed and embarrassed,” added Mr Williams.
“He went back to see who he thought was the owner of the railings, a farmer, to make recompense.
“The farmer asked for a significant amount, but they’re not even his, but he will liaise with Powys County Council over payment.”
He added that Jones travels to look after his elderly parents two to three times a week, as well as to look after his daughter.
Mr Williams added: “He is retired and lives on his investments”, adding that his weekly income is “significant”.
Kevin Jones’ lottery win
When he scooped the life-changing jackpot, Jones had no grand plans to splash the cash.
He did plan to buy a new car but said he would be modest with his selection.
Speaking in February, the retired dad said: “I like the Audi A5 S.
“I was looking at one on eBay costing £5,000 to £6,000. I’m not big on the new ones.
“They kind of changed the shape a wee bit. I might get a newish one now, though.”
He also said he planned to move into a Sunny Haven Park caravan and had set his sights on a trip to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone to celebrate his 59th birthday.
Jones is an avid Liverpool FC supporter and couldn’t wait for his first trip to Anfield.
He also vowed to use his winnings to take care of his mother Theresa, 76, his younger brother Alun, 57 and his sons and daughter aged 24, 26 and 30.
He said: “I’ll get advice and put some money into trust for them.
“I also want to help my brother with some home improvements.
“My brother has always been there for me. He’s a rock to me.”
Magistrates banned Jones from driving for 14 months, which can be reduced by completing a drink driving rehabilitation course.
He was fined £440 and told to pay a £176 surcharge and £85 costs – Jones said he would pay the full amount within 28 days.
As he left the dock, Jones said: “I’d just like to say thank you and I’m genuinely very sorry.”
When he won the lottery, Jones said: “I was honestly expecting £1,000 and when they pulled out the ticket from the envelope and I saw the first three numbers, then I saw the other three numbers – it totally blew me away.
“I’m still shocked, I don’t really know how to feel, it just won’t go in.”
He said he first planned to purchase a car with the money, as well as going on a cruise around the Caribbean to get some sunshine.
At the time of January’s win he said: “I need a car and I need to buy a place to live at some point.”