A small-town mayor’s night out ended in disgrace — and a cyclist in the road. After claiming to have had “four or five pints of Stella,” a local mayor drove home drunk, hit a cyclist, and is now banned from driving for nearly two years. But here’s where it gets controversial — he’s still serving as mayor.
Courts heard that Ryan Davies, mayor of the Shropshire village of Clun, was more than double the legal drink-drive limit when he struck cyclist Cain Western from behind. The cyclist, who was commuting home from work, wore reflective gear, hi-vis clothing, and had lights fitted to his bike — everything safety experts recommend. Despite this, Davies, driving his Mercedes after a seven-mile journey from a party, failed to notice him until it was too late.
According to the testimony, Davies initially slowed but didn’t stop right away, choosing instead to continue driving briefly before returning to the scene. A witness identified him as the driver, reportedly saying “the local mayor just hit a cyclist.” When police arrived, they noticed a missing wing mirror at the crash site — and later found Davies’s car at home, missing that same mirror.
When questioned, Davies claimed his last drink had been three hours earlier. However, breathalyzer results told a different story: his blood alcohol measured 183 milligrams per 100 milliliters — more than twice the UK’s legal limit of 80mg. Police arrested him, and the court later imposed a 20-month driving ban along with a £3,017 fine covering penalties and court costs.
In court, defense solicitor Matthew Davies described the mayor as an agricultural legislator deeply involved in local affairs. He insisted his client now recognized his mistake, admitting that he shouldn’t have gotten behind the wheel after drinking. The defense even confirmed, via the pub’s barman, that the mayor consumed four pints of Stella — though some witnesses recall him saying “four or five.”
Remarkably, despite the conviction, Ryan Davies continues to serve as mayor and chairs Clun Town Council. Photos on social media taken earlier this year show him attending Buckingham Palace “representing Clun.” And that’s what’s dividing opinion — should a convicted drunk driver still hold public office?
The case has reignited debates on accountability for local officials. Many residents praise Davies for his contributions to the community — but others argue that leadership comes with higher ethical standards. After all, how can someone fined and banned for dangerous driving continue to represent public responsibility?
So what do you think? Should an elected official convicted of drink driving be allowed to stay in office, or does this kind of incident demand resignation? Share your thoughts — is this a second-chance story or a sign of misplaced privilege?
