Driver, 36, tells police he has just ‘had a spliff’

A MAN admitted to police that he had smoked a ‘spliff’ half an hour before getting behind the wheel – he was then arrested for drinkdriving.

Gary Woodward, 36, was first spotted going through a red light on Chester Road heading towards Manchester city centre.

After officers pulled him over they smelt a strong odour of cannabis – he then admitted he had smoked the class B drug just half an hour earlier.

However, he wasn’t arrested or tested, Manchester Magistrates Court heard.

Woodward, of Eccles, then admitted he had no licence or insurance and was disqualified from driving.

A breathalyser test showed he was over the limit, blowing 49mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

At an earlier hearing Woodward pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and failing to comply with traffic signals.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order with stringent conditions.

Sentencing him, Judge Temperley said: “You certainly placed your immediate fate in some jeopardy by your actions on the night of June 14.

“This is a massive surprise for someone who was turning things around in recent years.

“Any offence committed in the next 24 months and you can kiss goodbye to your family as you will go to prison.”

Woodward, of Alexander Road, was also ordered to complete seven days of rehabilitation activity requirements, and must carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 15 months and must take an extended retest.