‘Petrol head’ busted by cops who smelled hash as he drove past
Smell wafted out of car window right into officers’noses
A self-proclaimed petrol head has been banned from driving after he got caught behind the wheel under the influence of cannabis.
Thomas Murnie, 36, drove past cops in April last year when they could smell the Class B drug coming from his Ford Mondeo.
Supermarket worker Murnie admitted he was driving home after smoking a joint on April 28 last year on Dundonald Road, Johnstone.
Prosecutor Maria Murdoch told Paisley Sheriff Court that the road had a 30mph speed limit and the weather was fine, making for good road conditions.
Ms Murdoch explained: “Around midday on April 28, police were on uniformed mobile patrol when a silver Ford Mondeo drove past them in the opposite direction.
“Officers could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle and, as a result, stopped the vehicle.
“The accused identified himself as the driver and admitted to having smoked a joint.
“The accused was tested at the roadside which tested positive for cannabis.”
The proportion of cannabis in Murnie’s blood was 3.7mg.
Defence agent Ruth Wallace told the court Murnie’s first words to here were “this was an extremely stupid mistake”.
Ms Wallace explained: “Mr Murnie was driving home and was just a couple of minutes from his home and he tells me he had smoked part of a joint.
“He accepts this was an extremely stupid thing to do.
“He is a self-proclaimed petroleum head and he told me his car is his life, it’s a huge part of his social life.
“He helps friends fix their cars and repairs them, but he appreciated the position he has put himself in and is under no illusion that he will be disqualified as a result of this offence.”
On sentencing, Sheriff Eoin McGinty said: “There’s a misconception that driving with cannabis in your system is a lesser evil than driving with alcohol in you system and it is not.
“Had you hit a child that day, it would be a case of years the court would be considering.”
Sheriff McGinty banned Murnie, of Dundonald Avenue, Johnstone, from driving for 12 months.
If Murnie successfully completes the drink-drive rehabilitation course, a discount of three months can be deducted from his disqualification.
Murnie was also fined £220 and was ordered to pay this within two months.
Sheriff McGinty warned: “If you are repairing your friends’ cars, you cannot drive them up the street to make sure they are working okay?
“If you are caught driving during this disqualification, it will be a very serious matter.”
There is a misconception that driving with cannabis in your system is a lesser evil