A SURVEYOR crashed a works car into a telegraph pole after drinking before getting behind the wheel, a court has heard.

Richard John Evans admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

He was caught after police were called to reports of a single-car crash on the A44 at Bringsty, near Bromyard, on November 6, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

Officers found Evans' Seat Leon crashed into a telegraph pole on a straight section of the road, but Evans was not with his car.

The 45-year-old was found at his home in Meadow Green, Whitbourne, where he told officers he had drunk a low-alcohol beer and used mouthwash to freshen his breath.

But he was arrested after failing a breath test, and an evidential test in custody revealed he had 82 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In interview Evans admitted he had been driving and said he was having mental health issues.

He told police he had found himself drinking earlier and earlier during lockdown, admitting to drinking six Heineken lagers at Worcester's Premier Inn the previous evening, more at midday, and then sleeping for about three hours before getting in his car.

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Stephen Scully, for Evans, said lockdown had been stressful for the land officer and surveyor.

"He was drinking to self-manage the stress, and this was actually counterproductive for him," Mr Scully said.

"There were tensions at home, and as a result, he found himself staying at a hotel. Then, after drinking alcohol, he went out and hit a pole. He was not injured, and nor was anyone else.

The court heard Evans, who has since sought help from his GP and mental health services, was undergoing disciplinary action at work as he had been driving a works vehicle at the time of the crash.

Evans was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £300. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.