A MAN was caught drink-driving after police became suspicious of his "unsatisfactory" driving, a court has heard.

Ryan Lloyd Botwood, 29, of Leinthall Earls, Leominster, admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on February 5.

Prosecutor Emily Clewer said Botwood had been caught behind the wheel in Leominster at 1am on January 18 after police became suspicious of his driving.

The court heard officers followed Botwood from Leominster town centre, with their blue lights on, but he did not pull over until he reached the town's Morrisons supermarket.

He was arrested after failing a roadside breath test. A further test in custody revealed Botwood had 40 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Botwood, said he had pulled over when he believed it safe to do so.

"He had been out earlier that evening, and had not planned on driving home, but had instead intended to get a lift," she said.

"He had drunk two pints of shandy, and said he felt sober and thought he would be OK to drive. He is well aware of the dangers of drink-driving, and said he would never have got into the car if he had felt drunk.

"It was a stupid mistake on his part."

Botwood was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £380. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £38 victim surcharge.