MAGISTRATES told a man who had no memory of why he chose to drive home after a stag do that he could have killed someone without knowing.

James Alcock, 50, of Marstow, near Ross-on-Wye, admitted drink-driving when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told the court that it was at 12.30am on April 10 when police officers stopped Alcock's vehicle on Old Ross Road near Whitchurch.

A roadside breath test was carried out which was positive and he had 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Chris Grainger, defending, said Alcock was a man of good character and had been at a stag do for a friend that evening.

He had parked his vehicle in a safe and secure place and went on the night out. It was only a mile away from his home address and he had intended to walk home.

But he had to pass the car park to get home and had no memory of how or why he got in the vehicle as it was never his intention.

The court heard Alcock worked in the farming industry and the impact of losing his licence was going to be severe. He had also been going through the process of adoption for some time and was in the final stages. This incident would put that process back several years, the court heard.

Magistrates said that while they appreciated Alcock's circumstances, his actions were made worse by the fact he could not remember why he did it.

They added he could have killed someone without knowing.

He was disqualified from driving for 20 months, was ordered to pay a fine of £350, a victim surcharge of £35 and £135 costs.

He was also offered a drink driving course which could reduce the disqualification period.