A DAD who decided to drive less than half a mile to his home from a Hereford pub where he had been drinking has pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard Mark Leverton, 32, had gone to the Broadleys pub in Ross Road on May 3 to talk to his wife, who worked there and who he was separated from.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said in the early hours of the morning police were called to Ross Road.

When they arrived they spoke to a group of people in the street who pointed the officers to a BMW parked up in a lay-by.

They noted the driver's side airbag had been deployed and the offside wheel was at an angle.

The car was registered to Leverton and they found him nearby in the stairwell to his home.

Chris Read, defending, said it had been a difficult time for Leverton who had moved into a flat in Ross Road following his separation from his wife, who he has young children with.

Mr Read said he had drunk alcohol at the Broadleys and had ended up in an argument with his ex-wife.

Mr Read said Leverton then decided to get in his car to drive the short distance home and hit a kerb, which deployed the airbag.

He was found to have 46mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath- the legal limit is 35mg.

Leverton was given a 12 month driving ban, which can be reduced by three months if he takes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

He was fined £110, ordered to pay £85 costs, a £150 criminal court charges and a £20 victim surcharge.