A DRIVER has been banned from the roads after a drug test revealed she had taken ketamine the night before getting behind the wheel.

Alexandra Kate Gough admitted driving while over the drug limit when she appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said police had been called to a report of a crash involving the 23-year-old’s Vauxhall Astra on the A44 near Kington at about 6am on October 28.

Gough, who is from Longlevens, Gloucestershire, was taken into custody after failing a roadside drug wipe test.

A blood sample later revealed she had 85 microgrammes of ketamine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 20.

Emma Thorne, for Gough, said she had taken ketamine the night before, while staying with friends in Leominster.

“She had gone to sleep, and had a good night’s sleep and a full meal before leaving,” Mrs Thorne said.

“She gave her friend a lift back to Kington, but she says the car slipped on the road.

“She waited with the vehicle, and complied with the police.

“She tells me she was in a bad place at the time, which was why she was using ketamine. This was a wake-up call for her, and she has since been to her GP for help, has taken positive steps to address her issues, and is no longer using ketamine.

“She realises the impact of this and would never have wanted to put people in harm’s way”

Gough was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £300. She must also pay costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.