A 71-YEAR-OLD man was found drink driving while travelling home from a reunion party in Ludlow, magistrates heard.

John Geach, 71, of Bull Street, Bishop's Castle, pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to co-operate with a drug swipe at Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, said that on May 7, police officers were on patrol in Ludlow when they saw Geach driving a Mitsubishi on Gravel Hill.

"The vehicle was being driven in a hesitant manner stopping five metres before the junction and was indecisive in his direction of travel he wished to take," said Mrs Davies.

"He indicated right and then turned left into the road. Police officers followed him and saw the car cross the white line on to the opposite side of the road for a matter of seconds."

Geach was caused to stop and provided a reading of 63 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit of 35.

At the police station, Geach was found in possession of a cannabis grinder. As a result of that, he was asked to provide a drug swipe, which he refused.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, mitigating, said that Geach is somebody who doesn't go out regularly but on this occasion went to a reunion.

"He said that he consumed alcohol but didn't appreciate the strength of it," said Miss Di Vitantonio.

"When asked about the hesitant driving, Geach says that he simply changed his mind. Inside the police station, he volunteered what he had in his possession. He was not aware of the new law on drug driving so should have provided a drug swipe.

"He apologises for his behaviour which has caused considerable problems for his own health with stress and high blood pressure. He states in his own words that it was a foolish act."

For drink-driving, magistrates disqualified Geach from driving for 17 months, which could be reduced by 17 weeks on completion of a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay a £73 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

He was given no separate penalty for the failing to supply a drug swipe although his licence was endorsed.