A PROFESSIONAL driver has lost his licence after an early-morning crash in a Herefordshire housing estate.

Oliver Ryan Stevens admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had been called to a report of a crash on Bromyard's Winslow Road in the early hours of the morning on August 3, prosecutor Jonathan Purser said.

"The witness had not been able to sleep, and was watching TV at about 3.40am when she heard a loud bang outside," he told the court.

"Outside she found a van, which she recognised as belonging to the grandson of her friend, had crashed."

The witness had helped the driver and passenger from the stricken van before calling the driver's family and the police to the scene. Stevens was arrested after failing a drug test. An evidential blood test revealed he had 189 microgrammes of cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

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Stephen Scully, for Stevens, said the 21-year-old, who works as a driver in the building trade, was now facing uncertainty over the future of his job.

"He is employed by the family business and his hours may be reduced or he may be let go," Mr Scully said.

"His father says the business cannot afford to carry him. Clearly as he will not be able to drive, it will be difficult to find him work in the business.

"He is sorry for what has happened. It was an error of judgement, and he is learning this lesson the hard way."

Stevens, of Summerpool, Bishops Frome, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £200. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.