A MAN drank six shots of Sambuca at a Leominster pub before driving home thinking that he had an hour before the effects kicked in, magistrates heard.

Luke Murphy, 29, was reported to police by a worried member of the public who saw him drink the shots and drive away from the The Dukes Head, in Corn Square on October 4.

Murphy of Temple Meadow, Ludlow, pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink driving.

Peter Love, prosecuting, said that at 9.40am Murphy went to the pub's bar and asked staff how many shots of spirits he could have for £10.

He had six shots of Sambuca which he was seen as drinking quickly. Shortly afterwards he left the pub and got into his vehicle and drove away.

A member of the public had seen Murphy drinking and driving away and was so concerned that they reported him to police.

"A little while late police officers went to Murphy's house as the details of the vehicle given to them included the registration," said Mr Love.

"The car was outside and the tyres were warm."

Murphy tested positive for drink driving and gave a reading of 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, above the legal limit of 35.

Murphy admitted the offence.

"He told police that years ago a probation officer had told him that it takes one hour for alcohol to be absorbed into your system," said Mr Love.

"He thought he was able to drive up to one hour after drinking alcohol."

Marilena Di Vitantonio, mitigating, said that Murphy suffers from Asperger’s and autism so takes things literally.

"Clearly he had misunderstood what the probation officer told him but that stuck in his mind and he thought that it would be okay," said Miss Di Vitantonio.

"He has learnt the hard way."

Magistrates disqualified Murphy from driving for 20 months, which could be reduced by five months on completion of a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.