A FARRIER drifted across the road and hit a motorcyclist after a single bottle of beer tipped him over the drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

George William Brinkworth admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on October 7.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said the 24-year-old had been driving his Renault Kangoo between Coughton and Pontshill, near Ross-on-Wye, at 7.25pm on August 29, when he had drifted across the road and into the opposite lane, crashing into an oncoming motorbike.

The motorcyclist escaped with minor injuries, but police were called and Brinkworth was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

An evidential breath test revealed he had 45 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In interview, Brinkworth, who is from Ross Road, Longhope, told police he could not account for how the crash had happened, but admitted drinking one bottle of beer before getting behind the wheel.

Emily Gourley, for Brinkworth, said the self-employed farrier had been very busy with work and had not eaten all day.

"He had made the 10-minute drive to his kennels to take his dogs for a walk before having a bottle of beer with a colleague," Mrs Gourley said.

"He then drove away from the kennels, and was going around a bend 200 yards down the road when he heard a bang and saw the motorbike. He called the ambulance and did not think he was over the limit, but he accepts he clearly was."

Magistrates heard Brinkworth would not be able to continue his business while subject to a mandatory roads ban, but was planning to find local work.

Brinkworth was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. He must pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.