A DRUG-driver has been banned from the roads after taking a class A drug during a night out with friends.

Paul Milner admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were on patrol at 8.30pm on February 9 when they spotted him driving a Peugeot 206 in Hereford's Edgar Street, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Milner was stopped and was arrested after failing a roadside drug test.

An evidential blood test in custody revealed he had 112 microgrammes of cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

The court heard Milner was previously convicted of drink-driving in 2013, which is within the 10-year time limit for relevant offences.

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Chris Read, for Milner, said the 42-year-old had been on his way home when he was stopped by officers.

"He had gone out in town with friends on the Saturday and one of them offered him some cocaine, which he accepted and used, but he had no idea it would still be in his blood 48 hours later," Mr Read said. 

"Unfortunately he has fallen foul of the fact that he was convicted of drink-driving in 2013 too. Luckily he will be able to continue working and has told his employer about this. Arrangements have been made for friends and other employees to drive him to and from work."

Milner, of Edgar Street, Hereford, was fined £447 and disqualified from driving for three years. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £45 victim surcharge.

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