A PLUMBER has lost his driving licence after he was pulled over for driving through a red light.

Mark Roland Griffiths, of Oatleys Crescent, Ledbury, admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on September 16.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said police were on patrol in Hereford on August 16 when they saw a white van run a red light on the A49.

Griffiths was pulled over and admitted he had drunk alcohol 10 minutes previously, before failing a roadside breath test.

An evidential test in custody revealed the 33-year-old had 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Philip Cornell, for Griffiths, said a mandatory driving ban would mean plumber Griffiths would lose his job, but that he would try to pick up work close to his home.

"He is not a drinker," Mr Cornell said.

"His best friend had rung him in distress that evening and he had driven to Hereford to comfort him. His intentions were not to go to a pub and drink, but he was instead trying to help.

"After leaving to go home, he believed he had gone through the light when it was amber, but he was stopped. This was during lockdown, so everyone was being stopped."

Griffiths was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.