AN engineer has pleaded guilty to drink-driving after he stopped for a meal on his way home from a stressful day, a court heard.

Nicholas Wilson, 48, of Hardwicke, Hay-on-Wye was stopped on the B4348 outside Peterchurch on May 8 by officers in an unmarked police car.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard police stopped him at 7.47pm after they noticed his car was swerving.

Wilson was breathalysed and had 57mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath- the legal limit is 35mg.

Neil Coulson, defending, said on the day in question Wilson had experienced a stressful day as he had to wait two and a half hours to pick up a parcel he needed for work.

As he was travelling back from the collection he stopped for a meal in Peterchurch, where there was a delay in service, and he had decided to have some drink. Mr Coulson said Wilson did not realise he was over the limit.

The court heard Wilson works as a self-employed architectural engineer and as he has to travel to work sites, a driving ban would result in loss of work.

Wilson was banned from driving for 12 months, which can be reduced by three months if he takes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

He was fined £300, ordered to pay £85 costs, a £150 criminal court charge and £30 victim surcharge.