A DRIVER has lost his licence after he was caught behind the wheel while over the drug limit in Hereford.

Jason David John Griffin admitted drug-driving when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Mark Hambling said police has spotted Griffin spotted behind the wheel of a Vivaro van on Broad Street in Hereford at around 1am on June 16.

"He was stopped and spoken to, and asked to provide a roadside drug test, which was positive for cocaine," Mr Hambling said.

The 31-year-old was taken to Hereford Police Station, where a blood test revealed he had 152 microgrammes of cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood, three times the legal limit of 50.

Chris Read, for Griffin, said it had been a routine traffic stop and that Griffin had not felt impaired in any way.

"He has fallen foul of the law in the way that so many do in that he used cocaine at least 48 hours before he was stopped," Mr Read said.

"He had the metabolite in his system and he had no idea this would remain for so long, and there is no criticism of his driving."

The court heard Griffin had since crashed his van, lost his job, and has been 'sofa-surfing' with friends.

"It has been a bit of a bad six months for me," he told the bench.

Griffin, of Langland Drive, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £100. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.