A DRINK-driver was caught behind the wheel while over the limit on a trip to the supermarket.

Thomas Fabisiak entered a guilty plea when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had been carrying out routine checks on cars in Hereford in the early hours of April 25 when they pulled Fabisiak over in Penhaligon Way, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

Officers said they could smell alcohol on him and Fabisiak was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

An evidential test in custody revealed he had 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

George Cousins, for Fabisiak, said the 41-year-old had drunk four or five beers and gone to bed after finishing work at 1pm the day before.

"He woke up later that night and decided to go in to Hereford to buy some food from the supermarket," Mr Cousins said.

The court heard a mandatory driving ban would make it difficult for Fabisiak to continue his job, but that he would try to find a way of staying in work.

Fabisiak, of Attlee Close, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £346. He must pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.