A LANDSCAPE gardener has been banned from the roads after he was caught behind the wheel with drugs in his system.

Gregory George Pitts, of Tedder Avenue, Credenhill, admitted drug-driving when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court on September 16.

Police had been on patrol on the A480 in Stretton Sugwas at around 12.30pm on April 10 when they spotted Pitts' white Toyota Hi Ace van, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

Checks showed the van was not insured, and Pitts was pulled over.

The 31-year-old was asked to take a roadside drug wipe test, and was arrested after testing positive for cannabis.

A blood test revealed he had 4.5 microgrammes of delta-0-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood, more than double the legal limit of 2.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, mitigating, said Pitts' van had actually been insured at the time and that he had cooperated with police.

"He is somewhat upset about being in court," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"He tells me he had smoked some nights before, and he was not impaired, but this drug can stay in the blood for up to 28 days. He understands it is illegal, but he will now lose his business as he will not be able to drive."

The court heard the self-employed landscape gardener, who has been running his business for eight years, could not afford to employ another person to drive.

Pitts was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.