Magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate court have heard a man caught drug driving by police was testing his grandfather’s car because it had a fault.
Prosecuting, George Shelley told the court that police stopped the 26-year-old because the car was being driven “at speed and erratically” on the city’s London Road, adding: “The officers wanted to speak to the driver about the manner of his driving.”
The defendant tested positive for cocaine in a roadside drug swipe and subsequent analysis found him to have 21mcg cocaine per litre of blood. The legal limit for drug driving is 10mcg, and the man was prosecuted for a similar offence in 2020 for which he received a 15-month ban.
Defending, Anthony Wilson explained: “He’s a bit of a tinkerer and he was tinkering with his grandfather’s car because there was a fault. He was driving the car from Welsh Road where he lives with his partner to his grandfather’s estate, literally across London Road.
“He doesn’t accept that his driving was erratic or speedy. There was a marker on that particular vehicle which police wanted to stop.”
During his police interview, the defendant told officers that he had taken cocaine three days before they stopped him, but had not done so since.
On hearing a guilty plea to drug driving, magistrates handed him a three-year driving ban – the minimum disqualification for someone charged with their second such offence in ten years. He must also pay £85 costs, a £95 victim surcharge, and complete 40 hours of unpaid work.
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.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
