A DRINK-driver called 999 and directed police to his car after getting behind the wheel in a cry for help.

Stephen Smith admitted one count of drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Smith had contacted police to tell them he had been driving his blue Ford Fiesta while over the drink-drive limit between 11.30pm on September 11 and 3am on September 12, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

He told police to head to Bromyard Downs, where they the Ford stopped in a car park.

Smith was behind the wheel and the keys were in the ignition, Mr Hambling said.

He was arrested and taken to Hereford police station, where an evidential breath test revealed he had 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

George Cousins, for Smith, said the circumstances of the 55-year-old's arrest were unusual.

"Perhaps if it was not so sad it would be funny," he said.

"He has mental health issues dating back a long time, has lost a few jobs recently, and has struggled with alcohol. He has gone to Turning Point to try and get help, but that is taking some time, so he decided to form a plan to get himself help.

"He visited a friend in the Bromyard area and then drove himself to the Downs, called police, and told them he had been driving thinking that would give him access to mental health services.

"The police could not find him and had to ring him back to ask where he was."

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Mr Cousins said Smith's actions have had some success as he has now had contact with support services.

Smith, who is of Edwyn Ralph, Bromyard, was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £48 victim surcharge.

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