A 25-year-old man has appeared before Welshpool magistrates after police caught him drug driving – under the influence of cannabis – for the second time.
Prosecuting, Justin Espie told the court: “It was 11pm when officers were patrolling the A483 Welshpool bypass; they had cause to stop the vehicle being driven by the defendant.
“They suspected him of drug driving, as there was a smell of cannabis within the car. A sample was taken, which proved positive for cannabis.”
Testing found the defendant to have 13mcg Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) in his system against the legal limit of 2mcg. THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis, with the defendant being over six times the legal drug driving limit.
He expressed surprise at the level in his system as he said he had not smoked any cannabis since the previous evening – nearly 24 hours earlier.
Mr Espie pointed out the defendant’s previous conviction, adding the minimum mandatory disqualification for a repeat drug driving offence was three years.
Mitigating, Paul Inns told the court his client had felt fine to drive and didn’t believe the drug was still in his system.
“He’d taken cannabis the night before, there had been a 24-hour period since he had taken it,” said Mr Inns.
“He didn’t realise it would still be in his system 24 hours later. He felt fine to drive and there was no indication from the officers that his driving was inappropriate.”
Mr Inns added that his client was self-employed and dependent on his ability to drive as he worked in the property maintenance industry.
“He has not been hugely busy during the pandemic, but this offence will hit him hard as, with his type of work, it’s vital he has use of a vehicle.”
Regardless, after pleading guilty to his second drug driving offence magistrates banned him from the roads for three years as well as imposing a £64 fine plus £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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