A CRASH driver fled the scene after hitting another car with his Mercedes at a Hereford petrol station, a court has heard.

Stephen John Price admitted drink-driving, failing to stop after a crash, and driving without due care and attention, when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were called by staff at Hereford's Commercial Road Texaco petrol station after they witnessed Smith crashing his silver Mercedes into another car on the forecourt before driving off at 11.15pm on June 9, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

They found Price and his damaged car parked up some way away and he was arrested for failing to stop.

A breath test in custody revealed he was also over the limit, returning a result of 52 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

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George Cousins, for Price, said the 49-year-old accepted that he was very lucky not to have caused injury to himself or members of the public that night.

"He had been drinking the night before and went to get more alcohol," Mr Cousins said.

"He hit a kerb and then went to the petrol station and hit a car. His tyre deflated on the way home and he parked up. Police arrived and he was taken into custody, where he said he was foolish and that he was old enough to know better."

Mr Cousins said Price had been having mental health issues at Christmastime and had thought he was better, but now realises that he has deteriorated and needs to seek help.

The court heard Price had lost his job as a result of the offences as he had been working as a driver.

Price, of Whittern Way, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined £220. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.