A DRINK driver claimed that his former partner set him up leading to him driving, magistrates heard.

Benjamin Paul Downes, 31, of Mortimer Street, Leominster, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, said that at 10.20pm on September 2, police witnessed Downes driving along West Street in Leominster.

Police in a marked vehicle pulled out behind the defendant and started to follow him.

Downes immediately pulled over and stopped in a parking bay. Police spoke to the defendant who smelt of alcohol and said he had drank two pints.

Downes gave a test reading of 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Philip Cornell, mitigating, said that this was a classic case of a young man who behaved irresponsibly.

He said that Downes has custody of his son from a previous relationship of over 15 years.

"On Saturdays his son goes to see his mother who was in a pub in Hereford," said Mr Cornell.

"He got a phone call from his son who was in a terrible state. Downes was out with friends and gets in his vehicle and drives straight over there. On his way he got stopped by police.

"The following day he gets a phone call from her saying 'I set you up good a proper didn't I?' The loss of his licence will affect him greatly."

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 18 months, which could be reduced by 18 weeks on completion of a drink drive rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay £450 fine, £135 costs and a £45 victim surcharge.