THE outgoing leader of Worcestershire County Council has been banned from the roads for 16 months after pleading guilty to drink driving this morning.

Adrian Hardman has appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates where it emerged he was nearly twice the legal drink-drive limit after being stopped by police.

The 59-year-old had 58 microgrammes of alcohol (mcg) in 100 millilitres of breath, well over the legal limit of 35 mcg.

Hardman, of Oak Lane, Bredon, pleaded guilty in court today, where a district judge Joti Boparai credited him for pleading early.

She said: "I take into account you are a man of impeccable character.

"It's always regrettable when someone in your position has to deal with the fallout from this particular case."

The court heard how Hardman, who was driving his red Toyota Avensis when he was stopped, had no previous convictions and had not appeared in court before in any way.

As well as the driving ban he was fined £350, and was ordered to pay a £35 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

As this newspaper exclusively revealed last month, he was arrested by Gloucestershire Police three days before Christmas in Bredon Road, Tewkesbury and failed a breath test.

After being arrested and charged with drink driving he then resigned as the county council's leader, calling his actions a "gross misjudgement".

The collapse of his five-year spell in charge of County Hall was confirmed last week when Councillor Simon Geraghty, his old deputy, was elected the authority's new leader.

Councillor Hardman has also given an exclusive interview with your Worcester News in which he spoke of his great sadness.

He said he was "deeply ashamed" at what has happened, and has not ruled out quitting County Hall altogether at the elections next year.

When asked about his time leading the county council he also opened up to how tough it was.

"It's not about what I have achieved as leader, it's about what Worcestershire has achieved," he said.

"It was far harder than I ever thought it would be (leading the council).

"We had endless pressures to deal with on the budget and around our decision making.

"During my time we had to entirely change the way in which the council worked."

He said it was "too early" to say what his future held, but insisted he wanted to remain a Wychavon district councillor and parish councillor come what may.

"I will aim to continue with Wychavon and the parish, when I've been around the parish councils they have been very receptive, which I was very grateful for.

"Bredon Parish Council gave me a vote of confidence."

He also said Gloucestershire Police had sent him on a drink driver education awareness course, which was an eye-opener.

"Having been on an education course, clearly, I understand the dangers (of drink driving) it can cause," he said.

"I am deeply ashamed."

See the full court report HERE or to see our interview with Adrian Hardman, go HERE.

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