A TEENAGE apprentice was caught driving while twice the limit as he went to pick his girlfriend up from college.

Jimmy Bob Kerton admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The court heard the 19-year-old had been behind the wheel of a white Citroen van when he was pulled over by police, who said he had been swerving from side to side, on the A438 at Bartestree on March 2.

He was spoken to by police and was arrested after failing a roadside breath test. An evidential test in custody revealed he had 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

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George Cousins, for Kerton, said the 19-year-old had made a straightforward mistake.

"He had a drink and then went to pick up his girlfriend from college," Mr Cousins said.

The court heard Kerton is 18 months into an apprenticeship and that a mandatory roads ban will affect his work.

"He seems to do a lot of driving taking people to work and delivering items," Mr Cousins said.

"He also has a brother who he takes to college each day and this is going to have a significant impact on him."

Kerton, of Barnett Avenue, Ledbury, was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £200. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.