Drug-driver caught after insurance query
A‘ TA L K AT I V E ’ driver admitted driving under the influence of cannabis after being taken to a police station over an insurance query.
Daniel Roberts, 26, was stopped by police in a car park near their station in Macclesfield town centre, a court heard. They asked the defendant, of Penrith Avenue, Macclesfield, to go into the police station to discuss the matter but while he was there he appeared too ‘talkative’, a court heard. Officers suspected he was under the influence of drugs and he tested positive for cannabis
At a hearing at Stockport Magistrates Court, Roberts admitted the offence and told the court ‘the law’s the law’.
Prosecuting, Eileen Rodgers, said: “Officers were on duty near the car park at Macclesfield police station and saw a vehicle travelling towards Jordangate and pull into the car park at Royal Mail.
“They pulled it over and spoke to the defendant about the insurance on the car and asked him to come into the police station to speak about the matter.
“While he was there he was very talkative towards the officers and they thought he might have been under the influence of drugs.
“They did a swab test which tested positive for cannabis.
“He was arrested and completed a blood test which showed 3.5 microgrammes of cannabis when the legal limit is two [microgrammes].
“There were no other drugs in his system.
“The reason he was stopped in the first place was the vehicle showed it was registered to him but had no insurance and they were trying to ascer- tain that.”
Roberts pleaded guilty to the offence of driving with cannabis in his blood above the specified limit on December 31 last year.
Defending himself in court, he said: “I’m guilty, my bloods were over, there’s nothing to argue. The law’s the law.
“It’s there for a reason. I’m sorry.
“I used to smoke a lot, but I’ve really cut down.
“I got a licence to do MOTs and cannabis was bringing me down.
“I’ve had to cut down but I’m sorry to say that I’d not cut down before this incident.”
Magistrates handed Roberts a £300 fine.
They banned him from driving for 12 months.
‘I’m guilty, my bloods were over, there’s nothing to argue’