Dad caught driving after taking cocaine

A DAD was caught driving on cocaine following an argument with his girlfriend. Adam Barry tested positive for the Class A drug after driving from Ebbw Vale to Blaenavon.

Prosecutor Jermel Anderson told Newport Magistrates’ Court the 31-year-old was spotted behind the wheel of a Ford Focus on the evening of May 11 by a PC Roberts.

“There was some mention of the speed he was driving at, but there is no excess speed charge,” said Mr Anderson. The officer did not stop Barry driving through Ebbw Vale but alerted colleagues to his concerns over the speed.

This led to another officer stopping the defendant half an hour later on King Street in Blaenavon. He tested positive in a roadside drug swipe and a later test showed he had 22 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood. The legal limit for driving is 10 micrograms.

Barry, of Elgam Avenue in Blaenavon, admitted drug-driving. Matthew Jones, mitigating, said Barry took cocaine the day before he was stopped.

“He was staying the night with his partner and they got into an argument,” said the solicitor.

“He felt fit and able to drive so decided to leave to get out of the situation of arguing with his girlfriend. He says he was fully compliant with the 60mph limit on the road he was travelling on. He is sorry and remorseful for his actions. And he tells me he hasn’t taken cocaine since the incident in May.

“He’s 31 and lives in Blaenavon with his parents. He has been in a relationship for a number of years and they are saving to buy a property. He has four children and works as car body repairer.”

Barry takes home pay of £250 per week. The court heard he has previous convictions but none relevant to the drug-driving offence. Mr Jones successfully called for the magistrates to impose the minimum 12-month driving ban.

Presiding Justice Sian Hodges said a potential £375 fine would be reduced to £250 because of the guilty plea. She also imposed £85 in prosecution costs and a £34 victim services surcharge.

As the hearing ended Mrs Hodges asked Barry if he had driven to the court and he replied: “No.” He will pay his debt at a rate of £50 per month.