A DRINK-DRIVER has been been banned from the roads for 12 months after causing a crash on the A40 near Ross-on-Wye.

Rowan Pickering, of Millcroft Road, Bodenham, was driving a Ford Fiesta that had been involved in a crash with a lorry in Whitchurch at around 9am on April 17. 

The 59-year-old had a positive roadside breath test, and was taken to Hereford Police Station. Toxicity reports came back wiith 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

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Pickering pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol limit was above the limit when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on May 17.

The court heard that he stayed over at his son's house after drinking the night before. His solicitor said that he felt fine and did not appreciate that the alcohol was his still in his system, something he deeply regrets. 

Pickering was told that if he successfully completes a drink drive course, his disqualification will be reduced by three months. 

He was also fined £353 and told to pay court costs of £135 and a £141 victim surcharge respectively.