A MOTORCYCLIST banned from driving crashed his friend's Harley Davidson on a Herefordshire road, a court heard.

Russell Fox came off the bike while riding it along the B4348 near Harewood End, leaving him with multiple leg fractures.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard the 47-year-old had been taking the bike for a service on behalf of an elderly friend when the accident happened on September 13 last year.

Police attending the scene did a check on Fox and found he was disqualified, said prosecutor Leslie Ashton.

Fox, of Woodfield Close, Kingstone, admitted driving while disqualified.

Charles Crinion, defending, said there was only minor damage to the bike. His client, however, suffered leg injuries.

A probation report read to court said Fox admits it was a "stupid mistake".

He was given a 12-month community order with a 12-month extension to his driving disqualification, meaning he is banned from driving until August 2018.