A DRUG-DRIVER has been banned from the roads for three years after he was caught out in a Hereford housing estate.

Gary John Smith admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were on patrol in Hereford's Kingsway when they spotted Smith behind the wheel of a silver Honda Jazz at around 10am on November 15, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Smith was asked to undertake a roadside drug test, and was arrested after it returned a positive result for cannabis.

An evidential blood sample taken in custody revealed he had 3.7 microgrammes of cannabis metabolite delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.

The court heard Smith was previously convicted of drink-driving in 2019, receiving an 18-month roads ban.

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Chris Read, for Smith, said the 40-year-old had been driving from his home to visit a relative and had stopped at the shops in Kingsway when he was approached by police.

"He was marginally over the limit and, again, it was a situation where he had used it two days beforehand," Mr Read said.

"He is going through some very difficult times at present, and has sought help. The mental health team are involved and helping, and he is in the process of claiming benefits, as until now, he has been relying on his family.

"He is aware he will be banned and that he will have to face the consequences."

Smith, of Park Street, Hereford, was fined £120 and disqualified from driving for three years. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.