A DRUG-driver 'went off the rails' after breaking up with his partner, a court has been told.

Joshua Barnfield admitted one count of driving while over the drug limit when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police in an unmarked car had been travelling along Hereford's Kings Acre Road when they saw Barnfield driving a Vauxhall Corsa at around 8.15pm on August 4, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Barnfield was pulled over in Moor Farm Lane and asked to take a roadside drug test, which returned a positive result for cocaine.

An evidential blood test taken in custody revealed he had 564 microgrammes of class A drug cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50 microgrammes.

Barnfield has a previous conviction for a like offence dating back to January 2021, Mr Hambling said.

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George Cousins, for Barnfield, said the 27-year-old had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and that he was aware he would be banned for a minimum of three years.

"He accepts he has gone off the rails recently due to the breakdown of his relationship," Mr Cousins said.

"He is currently taking counselling on the recommendation of his GP."

Mr Cousins said Barnfield is currently unemployed and is being supported by his parents, but is optimistic about getting a job soon.

Barnfield, who is of Moor Farm Lane, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for three years and fined £120. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a £48 victim surcharge.

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