A DRIVER has been banned from the roads after he was caught behind the wheel in Hereford while over the limit.

Rafal Rucki admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Rucki had been seen driving a Volkswagen Passat near his home in Hereford's Beaufort Avenue at 8am on December 4, prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said.

He was stopped by police, and was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

An evidential breath test revealed he had 43 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

George Cousins, for Rucki, said the 33-year-old knew he was going to be banned for his actions.

"He tells me that he lost his job in November and is currently out of work, but will be starting a new job in early January," Mr Cousins said.

Magistrates told Rucki that drink-driving is an extremely serious offence, disqualified him from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.