Adam Gee admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The 34-year-old was stopped by police because he was not wearing a seat belt while behind the wheel of a Ford Transit van on the C1103 at Burghill on October 21, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

He was arrested after failing a roadside drug test and an evidential blood test taken in custody revealed he had 3.6 microgrammes of cannabis metabolite delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.

The court heard Gee has a previous conviction for drink-driving dating to 2013, which is within the ten-year period for relevant convictions.

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Belinda Ariss, for Mills, said there was no suggestion of any poor driving and that he had simply failed to put his seat belt on.

"He was driving his works van for his plastering company, which employs three people," Miss Ariss said,.

"He has anxiety and depression and takes medication, but the cannabis is to help him sleep, and he smokes a small amount most evenings. Of course, this means that he was over the limit that evening due to the cumulative effect.

"He has been trying to get medication to help him sleep, but the doctor as been resistant to that, but when he does not smoke he does not sleep. He has to drive to carry out his job, and he could not function without sleep.

"The loss of his licence will have an impact on him and those he employs."

Gee, of New Road, Far Forest, Kidderminster, was fined £500 and disqualified from driving for three years. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £50 surcharge.