A FACTORY worker has been banned from the roads after he was caught drug-driving in Hereford.

Todd Levi Gordon-Williams, of Sudbury Avenue, Hereford, admitted driving while over the drug limit when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on September 9.

Prosecutor Jim Mason said police had been on patrol in the Gorsty Lane area of the city on April 25 when they were overtaken by a blue Ford Focus being driven by Gordon-Williams.

They decided to carry out checks on the driver due to his speed, and a roadside drug test was positive for cannabis.

Gordon-Williams was taken to Hereford Police Station, where an evidential blood test revealed he had 5.3 microgrammes of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.

Emma Thorne, for Gordon-Willams, said the 33-year-old realised he would be losing his licence.

"He tells me that he smoked the night before," Mrs Thorne said.

"He woke up and felt fine to drive, and he did not leave until the late morning. He was on his way to help his partner's grandfather with the gardening.

Magistrates heard Gordon-Williams had been using the class B drug for a number of years in a bid to self-medicate his anxiety and depression.

"He felt it helped him feel at ease, but he knows that this was probably just masking his symptoms. He has seen a doctor and is now taking medication and reducing his cannabis intake," Mrs Thorne said.

The court heard the factory employee would be able to continue to commute to work on foot.

Gordon-Williams was disqualified from driving for three years and fined £315. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.