A DRINK-driver has been banned from the roads after hitting a kerb on his way home from a meal out.

Dominic Howe admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were travelling on the A44 towards Leominster when they spotted Howe's silver Honda Civic parked up beside the road with its airbags deployed and skid marks on the carriageway at 4.15pm on July 26, prosecutor Eleanor Peart said.

Howe, who was with his car, was arrested after failing a roadside breath test. An evidential breath test in custody revealed he had 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He told police that he had drunk a couple of pints of later before driving and that he had clipped the kerb.

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Emma Thorne, for Howe, said the incident was out of character for the 56-year-old, who has no previous convictions.

"He and a friend had decided to go for food in Leominster and he had two pints of later and then made the trip home," she said.

"As he approached his property, he clipped the kerb and mounted the grass verge. The airbags were deployed, but there were no injuries.

"Police just happened to be on patrol in the area and he had stayed with the car and confirmed he was the driver. In interview with police he made it clear he had been driving and he tells me he does not condone the offence and is ashamed and embarrassed."

Howe, of Worcester Road, Leominster, was fined £400 and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £160 victim surcharge.