A SOLE trader has been banned from the roads after he was caught drug-driving in Hereford city centre.

Benjamin Lee Brittain admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Brittain was stopped at 7.30am on December 5 in Hereford's St Owen Street due to the manner of his driving, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

He was arrested after failing a roadside drug test, which returned a positive result for cocaine, and an evidential blood sample taken in custody revealed he had 13 microgrammes of cocaine in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 10.

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Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Brittain, said the 36-year-old had taken cocaine the day before and had been to see a friend, believing he was ok to drive.

"He was stopped the next day," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"The effect of this will mean he will not be able to work. He is a sole trader and says the loss of his licence will impact that.

"As he will not be able to drive, he will lose his income, and will have to get some form of job."

Brittain, of Little Hereford, Ludlow, was fined £120 and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.