A SOLDIER who completed a tour abroad faces being honourably discharged after he was caught drink-driving.

Adam Chapman, of Ewyas Harold, pleaded guilty to the charge at Herefordshire Magistrates Court.

Police were called to the junction between the A465 and B4347 near Ewyas Harold at 1.30am and found a car has come off the road through a fence.

A witness said they had seen a man running away towards Ewyas Harold.

Officers checked the registered keeper and went to the home address, where Chapman admitted he was driving the car.

Chapman, aged 25, told police he had been a "fool" and said he had drunk cider and lager before driving.

He had 102mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

The court heard that Chapman's sentencing will have an impact on his military career.

Kimberley Roberts, in mitigation, said: "You do have the discretion of going out of those guidelines and imposing a financial penalty in this exceptional case. Mr Chapman has expressed considerable remorse for his actions."

Included in the documents shown to magistrates was a doctor's psychiatric report about how a tour abroad has effected him.

Miss Roberts said: "I am sure he won't mind me saying this. He seems to have buried his head in the sand since that active tour. He is looking to get assistance now."

She said he is now receiving help from the army's mental health team. She said: "If he is honourably discharged from the army they would be able to continue to support him. The understanding I have is if Mr Chapman were to face a custodial sentence or a suspended sentence then it would be an immediate dishonourable discharge.

"If you go down the route of a financial penalty then whilst the discretion is with his commanding officer, it will go one of two ways. Either continue his contracted time with the army until 2020 then receive an honourable discharge and continue with ongoing support form the mental health team or alternatively if he does receive a dishonourable discharge there is no help available for him.

"He is a young man who served overseas for his country."

The court also heard his rank would be lowered.

Magistrates gave Chapman a fine of £1,000 and he was ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £100. He was disqualified from driving for 23 months, which can be reduced by five months if he takes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.