AN INQUEST into the death of a Gwent police officer heard he was over the legal drink drive limit when he fell off his bike into the path of oncoming car.

On May 19, keen cyclist Sergeant Steve Burt, 53, was taking part in a ride with Usk Vale Wheelers cycling club from Pontypool to Brynmawr then on to Gilwern where they stopped at the Corn Exchange public house at around 8.30pm.

Usk Vale Wheelers member, David Powell told the inquest that everyone had consumed four pints while Sgt Burt had also drunk a Pernod as a congratulatory drink for riding so well that evening.

The group left at 10.30pm heading in the darkness along the A4042 towards Llanellen.

Mr Powell and Sgt Burt were riding side by side passing through Llanover before falling into single file to overtake a slower rider in front.

Mr Powell told the inquest they had been riding two abreast as it was safer to ride that way, and said he expected Sgt Burt to return to riding in this way after they had overtaken, but instead he felt Sergeant Burt's front wheel hit his back wheel.

Sgt Burt was then catapulted across the road and into the path of an oncoming car which struck him before he hit the ground.

The inquest heard that Sgt Burt was a careful, considerate rider who was fastidious in checking his equipment and always wore a helmet and reflective clothing.

Robin Herbert who was driving the Volkswagen Golf which hit Sergeant Burt told the inquest in a statement that he saw a "large object land directly in front the car.

"It landed so close I had no choice but to drive over it,"?he said

Sergeant Burt died instantly of multiple injuries.

PC Richard Wyatt, of Gwent Police's forensic collision investigation unit said he attended the scene 30 minutes after the accident and found no defect on the bike or the car.

He said that the darkness affect awareness of proximity and the alcohol consumed would have had a profound effect on the body.

A post mortem examination found the blood alcohol level present in Sergeant Burt's body to be at 131 percent, - the drink drive limit is 80 percent.

Gwent coroner David Bowen said that Usk Vale Wheelers, "Seems generally well run, however it was the practice to stop at a public house for refreshments.

"To replace fluid loss by consuming alcohol was in my opinion, foolhardy, particularly when the return journey was over public roads."

Mr Bowen added that a number of serving and retired police officer were members of the cycle who, "perhaps more than anyone, should have realised the dangers of this."

He concluded, "I am satisfied it was not the sole cause but a contributory factor."

Verdict: Accidental death.