A KITCHEN and bathroom fitter has been banned from the roads after he was caught drug-driving in Herefordshire.

Joshua Luke Carpenter admitted one count of drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in December.

The court heard from prosecutor Eleanor Peart that police had decided to pull Carpenter over after following his red Seat Leon on the B4224 at Hampton Bishop in Herefordshire at 5.10pm on September 22.

An evidential blood test revealed that he had 4.2 microgrammes of controlled class B drug cannabis product delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two microgrammes.

OTHER NEWS:

Chris Read, for Carpenter, said that the 28-year-old had been caught out in a routine traffic stop.

"He was found to be over the limit and he has fallen into the trap many do," Mr Read said.

"He had used cannabis three or four days before, having no idea that it would remain in his system for that length of time."

Mr Read said a mandatory roads ban would have "quite an impact" on Carpenter.

"He is a kitchen and bathroom fitter, which involves a considerable amount of travelling," he said.

"Normally he is the driver, but his mate who he works with will now drive. This does mean he will have to get to him in Bromyard, though, to get to work each day."

Carpenter, who is of Seaton Avenue in Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £447. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £179 victim surcharge.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Herefordshire court and crime news? Click here to join our Hereford Times Court and Crime group on Facebook or click here to sign up for our weekly court and crime email newsletter.