SNOOKER star Matthew Stevens has appeared in court to admit drink-driving.
The 35-year-old appeared at Llanelli Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit.
The court heard Stevens, of Plas y Fforest in Fforest, was arrested after driving a Mercedes C220 on December 13 along the B4297 on Pontarddulais Road in Llangennech.
He was found to have 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — exceeding the legal limit of 35.
Mitigating, Gareth Jones said Stevens had "worked hard all his life" and asked magistrates to make their own judgement about his sentence.
Mr Jones told the court: "He shouldn't be unduly punished because he's been successful in the past.
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"His punishment will be his disqualification, which will cost him a significant amount of money.
"Would you please take into account what I've said and not go over the top with a fine."
Carmarthen-born Stevens, who has twice been runner-up in the World Snooker Championship, had recently been enjoying a return to form, reaching the World Championship semi-finals last year for the first time since 2005 before being knocked out by Ronnie O'Sullivan.
He is currently ranked 14th in the world.
Magistrates handed Stevens a £400 fine for the offence, and ordered him to pay £85 towards court costs and a £40 victim surcharge.
He was also banned from driving for 12 months.
And magistrates warned Stevens he could be sent to prison if he drove while disqualified.
Following the hearing, the snooker ace declined to comment on the matter.
