A forestry worker from Powys, Wales, has been reprimanded after being caught drug driving for the second time in four months, and the second time with two different drugs in his system.
Prosecutor Stephen Davis told Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court that the man was first stopped on the afternoon of April 28.
“PC Birch stopped a Ford Fiesta and the driver was the defendant. The officer could see his pupils were enlarged and his eyes were glazed and bloodshot, and he formed the opinion he was under the influence,” said Mr Davies.
“A saliva drug wipe was positive for cannabis. He was arrested and taken to Brecon Police Station. There he provided blood samples which were positive for cocaine and cannabis.”
Subsequent testing found the driver to have 116mcg Benzoylecgonine – a byproduct of cocaine use – per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg. He was also found to have 5.1mcg of THC – the active ingredient in cannabis – where the legal limit for drug driving is 2mcg.
Owain Jones, mitigating, said: “The fact there were two drugs in his system is an aggravating feature.
“The reason the police went to his vehicle was because his exhaust too loud, then they uncovered the drug driving. He cooperated fully with the police.”
After adjourning for a pre-sentence report to be compiled, probation officer Jade Price told the court:
“[The defendant] says he uses cannabis on a daily basis.
“He has previously worked with Kaleidoscope and has been discharged by that service.
“He said he uses cannabis as a coping mechanism for a previous traumatic experience. He has increased his drug use but says he only uses cocaine recreationally at weekends but does not feel it’s a problem. He understands the risks posed while driving under the influence.”
Ingrid Gallagher, chair of the bench reminded him of the dangers of drug driving and highlighted concerns that he appeared to have no inclination to stop using the class B drug.
“You have admitted taking illegal drugs daily,” she said. “Should you take them while driving once you get your licence back, you will face prosecution again.
“It’s up to you whether you want to reduce your drug use but you will be committing daily offences if you continue to do this.”
After hearing a guilty plea to drug driving, Ms Gallagher put the defendant under a twelve-month community order including 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for two years and must pay a £95 surcharge and £85 costs.
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