Drug driver from Northumberland given three year ban for repeat offence
A Northumberland man has been sentenced for a second drug driving offence.
Thomas Bell, from Haltwhistle, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.
Magistrates heard the defendant was stopped by police near the Sainsbury’s store on March 18.
The court heard a roadside test was positive for the presence of cannabis. He was taken into custody and gave a sample of 3.5 THC in blood. THC is the breakdown compound of cannabis. The legal limit is 2 THC.
The 43-year-old had previously been convicted of a similar offence in 2017.
The court heard the offence will lead to the defendant losing his job as a driver.
In mitigation, magistrates heard there was no evidence of poor driving and no aggravating features.
They also heard the defendant, a former soldier, was using cannabis as medication for PTSD.
"He was simply going to the shop on an errand,” said Ian O’Rourke in defence. “He had been smoking cannabis the previous day.”
He was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £411.