A DRUG-driver has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 18 months after he was caught driving while under the influence of cocaine.

James Graham Bayley, 43, pleaded guilty to driving while being over the legal limit for cocaine and metabolite benzoylecgonine.

Police officers noticed Bayley ignore a no entry sign and stopped him in Commercial Road, Hereford on April 19.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said police carried out roadside tests for alcohol and drugs. He admitted drinking wine earlier that evening, but was under the legal limit.

The roadside drugs swipe came back positive, and a further test at the police station showed the amount of cocaine in his system was 38mg per litre of blood, where the legal limit is 10mg.

For cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine, the test showed 283mg per litre of blood, more than five times the legal limit of 50mg.

Emma Thorne, defending, said Bayley, of Somers Walk, Hereford, had taken cocaine the day before.

"He was prosecuted and accepts the reasons why. He had take cocaine the day before but he felt okay to drive.

"The loss of his licence is devastating, he's a self-employed carpenter and has done that since he left school."

District Judge Ian Strongman handed Bayley a £300 fine, disqualified him from driving for 18 months, which was reduced due to driving being part of his livelihood.

He was also ordered to pay £135 costs and £30 victim surcharge.