A MAN was caught drink driving for the third time after consuming half a bottle of vodka before going in search of his dogs.

Charles Ross-Robertson, 64, of Risbury, Leominster, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told the court that on September 2, police officers received a report of a male driving a Landrover Defender in Risbury in an erratic manner.

"As the police approached they saw the vehicle and they stopped the car," said Mr Jones.

"The defendant's speech seemed slurred, he smelt of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet."

Ross-Robertson was breath tested and gave a reading of 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

He had two previous convictions for drink driving, one of those within the last ten years.

Matthew Lewis, mitigating, said that Ross-Robertson was looking for his dogs in his Landrover after they escaped.

"He tried to draw the attention of the dogs by sounding his horn," said Mr Lewis.

"Obviously this caused somebody to pick up the phone and ring the police. He drove up the lane near his house turned around and drove back again."

Probation officer Dan Barratt told the court that Ross-Robertson had drank half a bottle of vodka before he decided to drive in search of the dogs which he was worried about.

"He accepts that due to his mental health issues he uses alcohol as a medicine and that is why this offence came about," added Mr Barratt.

Magistrates ordered Ross-Robertson to complete 12 months community order to include a drink impaired driving course and five activity days.

He was also disqualified for driving for 36 months which could be reduced by 36 weeks on completion of a drink drive rehabilitation course.

Ross-Robertson was also ordered to pay £135 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.