A DRUG-driver has been banned from the roads after cocaine was found in his system the day after he took it.

James Stephen Edward Hussey, of Morgans Orchard, Kington, admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on August 12.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said police had been on patrol at about 5.20pm on February 29 when they saw Hussey driving a silver Peugeot 206 on Belmont Road.

The officers decided to stop the Peugeot, believing the driver may be under the influence, and a roadside drug wipe test was positive for cocaine.

Hussey was arrested and taken into custody, where an evidential blood test revealed he had 127 microgrammes of cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

Edmund Middleton, for Hussey, said the consequences of a mandatory driving ban would be difficult for the 28-year-old self-employed roofer.

"It's going to be hard for him to get to the sites where he works without his licence," Mr Middleton said.

Mr Middleton said Hussey had taken cocaine after receiving bad news about an ill relative the day before.

"He had a blow-out and took some cocaine while trying to process that news," he said.

"He then drove the following afternoon, but was still over the limit."

Hussey was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £400. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £40 victim surcharge.