AN ARGUMENT with his partner drove a man to get behind the wheel while drunk, magistrates heard.

Jacek Graczyk, of Ryelands Street, Hereford, pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Nicola Ritchie said police were called to Ryelands Street by a member of the public at around 6.30pm on June 1.

They found the car parked on the street and unattended.

PC Blake said he saw Graczyk staggering along the road holding a set of keys.

Graczyk reached his Citroen car, got in, and started the engine, but he was apprehended and his keys were removed from the ignition by PC Blake before he could drive off.

A roadside breath test revealed he had 104mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Further testing showed Graczyk had 169mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, more than two times the legal limit.

Christopher Read, for Graczyk, said his 42-year-old client had been drinking when he got into an argument with his partner.

“He walked off, got into his car, started the engine and reversed it a few centimetres.

“But his exit was cut short by the arrival of a police officer.”

Graczyk was disqualified from driving for three years. He must pay a fine of £310, costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.