A MAN who “had not planned” on driving was caught behind the wheel while over the alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Ryan Lee Bradford, of Eywood Lane, Titley, admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on March 18.

The 21-year-old was stopped by police as he drove his black Citroen Saxo along Bridge Street in Kington in the early hours of March 1, prosecutor Shafquat Reaz told the court.

He was taken into custody after failing a roadside breath test, where an evidential test revealed he had 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Bradford, said there had been no evidence of poor driving.

“The car had been parked and he had not planned on driving, instead intending to leave it there and walk to a friend’s house,” Miss Di Vitantonio said.

“But he was asked to move it a short distance, and that is why he was driving.

“He thought it would be ok, and did not feel that he was in a position where he could not drive the car.”

The court heard a driving ban would mean Bradford, who is in full-time employment, would have to rely on others to give him lifts to work.

Bradford was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £180. He was also ordered to pay costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.