A MAN who was stopped by police for driving too slowly was found to be drink driving.

The 61-year-old claimed he was driving a friend who was looking for his wife when police pulled him over at 2.40am on July 31.

Josef Wieslaw Krepczynski, of Whitecross Road, Hereford pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving without a licence.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court on Friday, said that the defendant was stopped while driving a grey Chrysler 300 on Barrs Court Road.

"Police were on routine patrol when they started following the Chrysler," said Mr Jones.

"Their attention was drawn to it as it was driving very slowly. In a 30 miles per hour limit zone he was driving 15mph.

"Police caused the vehicle to stop and spoke to the defendant, they noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the car."

Krepczynski blew a positive breath test at the roadside and when tested at the police station he blew 65 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of blood, the legal limit is 35.

Mr Jones added: "He was driving with a provisional licence, wasn't being supervised and didn't have the 'L' plates on."

Marilena Divitantonio, mitigating, said that the day before the incident Krepczynski had lost his job at Cargill.

She said: "He went to see some friends because they had contacts in order for him to gain employment.

"He was due to stay with them overnight and consumed alcohol. He then received a call from another friend who believed his friend's wife was having an affair and asked Krepczynski if he could take him to where he believed his wife was when police pulled him over.

"He said that it was a stupid thing to do and thought it would be okay as he consumed alcohol over a long period of time.

"Krepczynski hasn't gained employment since and is using his savings to live on. He is in a position where he will have to sell his vehicle to raise funds as he is struggling financially.

"He has lived in the UK for nine years and has always worked."

Krepczynski was banned from driving for 18 months which could be reduced by 18 weeks on the completion of a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £40 for driving without a licence, £110 for driving with excess alcohol, ordered to pay £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.