over the legal limit, a court heard.

Francisco Valdao, 45, of Bakery Lane, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to driving while impaired when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

In sentencing him, acting Senior Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp told Valdao: "But for the grace of God you were the only one injured.

"This is extreme to say the least. The limit at the moment is 80. You were just short of being five times over the limit. To say that is excessive is an understatement,'' said Mrs. Mapp.

Yesterday Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette told the court that at about 1 p.m. on July 15 this year Valdao was involved in a single vehicle accident on Parsons Lane, Devonshire.

"The defendant fell to the ground and sustained injuries to his arms and shoulders.

"He was found sitting on the side of the road by Police. He admitted riding the cycle. Police noticed his breath smelled and his speech was slurred,'' added Sgt. Mouchette.

Valdao was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and was tested. It was found he had 379 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The limit is 80.

Mrs. Mapp fined Valdao $600 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.