A DRINK driver was caught after an off-duty police officer became concerned over the manner of their driving, magistrates heard.

Lee Michael Perkins, 38, of Masefield Close, Ledbury, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, said that at 4.55pm on August 20, an off-duty police officer driving on the A438 noticed a blue Ford Mondeo driving two cars in front of him which kept crossing the white line.

Due to the manner of their driving the off-duty police officer called 999 and kept following the car to Lawnside Road, in Ledbury, when he identified himself as a police officer before an on-duty police officer arrived.

Perkins said that he had drank six cans of lager before driving home and knew he would be over the limit.

When tested Perkins gave a reading of 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Chris Read, mitigating, said that Perkins had came to his brother's house in Hereford and his partner was present.

Following an argument the defendant left the house and decided to drive home.

"This will have a massive effect on his job as a driver," said Mr Read.

"He lives with his partner and their two children. It will have a massive impact on all of the family."

Perkins was disqualified from driving for 18 months, which could be reduced by four months on completion of a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £100 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.