A DEPRESSED farmer crashed into an off-duty policeman's car after drowning his sorrows.

The foot-and-mouth crisis was the final straw for Anthony Margetts after a string of disasters, a court heard.

The cow and sheep rearer found himself in difficulties following the death of his mother.

He struggled with the family farm and went into business with a "rogue" sheep dealer.

After being treated for depression he had to face selling the farm but a buyer pulled out when the foot-and-mouth crisis broke out, Droitwich magistrates were told yesterday.

Margetts, who was four times the legal limit, admitted consuming excess alcohol before driving his Ford Pickup down Hallow Road on Saturday, March 31.

The former owner of Shoulton House Farm in the village crashed into a Volkswagen Golf belonging to a policeman and smashed an indicator.

John Alban-Davies, prosecuting, said Margetts tried to drive off when the officer got out of his car.

The officer reached into Margetts' truck and took his ignition key.

The 49-year-old had 330mgs of alcohol in 100ml of his blood. The legal limit is 80.

Richard Morgan, defending, said it was important to see the case in its proper context.

"It is a sad tale," he said. "This is a simple man with limited intellectual capacity who finds it difficult to cope with the modern world.

"His mother, who was the driving force in the business, died three years ago and since her death his life has gone from bad to worse."

"He went into partnership with a sheep dealer who proved to be a rogue."

Mr Morgan said Margetts underwent treatment for depression before facing up to the fact the farm would have to be sold.

"But when a buyer was found, foot-and-mouth broke out," he said

Magistrates said Margetts, who recently completed his farm sale and is staying in Oakleigh Avenue, Hallow, was lucky not to receive a custodial sentence.

He was banned from driving for three years, ordered to carry out 120 hours community service and pay £80 costs.