Huw Thomas arriving at court this week
A boyfriend who proposed to his lover in the sand with 30-metre high letters saw the tide turn on their romance – as he was hauled to court after a furious row.
Huw Thomas, 35, saw his relationship with Kara Conlon hit the rocks after she accepted his gigantic beach proposal written into the sand.
Property manager Thomas argued with Kara, 33, at their home, punched a hole in the bedroom wall and then drove drunk. The two never married despite being engaged for three years after the romantic proposal.
He was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for 48 months.
A court heard the pair had fallen out so badly that they were sleeping in separate bedrooms at the time of the row on March 13.
Thomas had etched out: ‘Kara will you marry me’ in giant letters on the stunning seaside beach.
The proposal was at Rhossili Bay – the beach at Gower, South Wales, which is regularly rated as one of the best in Britain.
But magistrates in Cardiff heard the sands of time ebbed on the relationship as Thomas drowned his sorrows after a bust-up.
He got behind the wheel of his Audi A4 and drove with 125 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35.
Prosecutor Hannah George said: ‘Police attended at 4.15pm and searched the property.
The couple in happier times before their row
‘He was at the back of the address and he was slumped on the kitchen floor.
‘He provided a positive breath test at the address.’
Thomas told the court how their relationship had broken down despite his marriage proposal.
He said: ‘The day started off abruptly with my other half kicking down the door of the spare bedroom at 6.30am.
Thomas dramatically proposed to partner Kara Conlon on beautiful Rhossili Bay three years ago – but the relationship turned sour
‘We had separated weeks before. We were sleeping in separate bedrooms. She said get up we have things to do.’
Thomas said his ex made a comment to him at the bottom of the stairs and reacted by punching the wall at their home in St Fagans, Cardiff.
He claimed he drove sober to a Tesco Express, bought two bottles of wine and went for a walk up the nearby Garth mountain.
He said: ‘I consumed the alcohol that I did in the kitchen and then I stayed put.
The two had taken a trip to the beach at Gower in South Wales where Thomas had popped the question (right)
Thomas proposed at Rhossili Bay which is regularly rated as one of the best in Britain by visitors
‘It was two bottles of wine and probably about half a bottle of gin as well.’
But magistrates in Cardiff rejected his claims he had been sober whilst driving.
The court heard Thomas had a problem with alcohol and has since been in rehab.
Thomas, now of Cwmbran, Gwent, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He had been banned from approaching his former fiancee before the hearing.
He denied drink driving but was found guilty by magistrates.
Thomas, who has two previous drink driving convictions, must also do 150 hours unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activity.