Cannabis-using Sunderland motorist is starting a road ban after a sat nav blunder
A cannabis-using Sunderland motorist is starting a road ban after a sat nav blunder took him the wrong way around a roundabout in view of police.
Ashhad Ali, 22, was seen committing the bizarre faux pas in his black BMW in Cherrywood Gardens, Tunstall, at 10.30pm on Monday, June 30.
Ali, of Otto Terrace, Ashbrooke, was pulled over and made his excuses but police also smelled cannabis inside the motor, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.
He failed a roadside drug swipe and was arrested – and a sample of blood taken at a police station later tested positive for cannabis breakdown product THC.
The construction worker is now starting a 12-month disqualification after pleading guilty to a drug drive charge.
Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “An officer describes that his attention was drawn to a black BMW as a result of it going the wrong way around a roundabout.
“That’s why the officer stopped the vehicle. He spoke to the driver to undertake checks. His insurance was in place.
“What the officer describes is that the defendant was rocking backwards and forwards and his pupils were not dilated.
“There was also the strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. The defendant undertook a roadside drug swipe, which was positive.
“He was taken to a police station and a sample of blood was taken.”
Ali gave a reading for THC of greater than 3.3mcg. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Syed Ahmed, defending, told magistrates Ali had gone for a drive after an argument at home with his mother.
Mr Ahmed added: “He was driving to meet a friend. He had been using a sat nav which instructed him to go a certain route.
“He was stopped, and he gave a full account to the officer and accepted responsibility.
“You’ve heard that he’s driven the wrong side of the roundabout and when he was stopped, he explained that he had followed the sat nav, which took him that route.
“He made admissions that he had taken cannabis. He said that he finds it difficult to sleep at night and takes cannabis at night.
“He’s been somewhat shaken by coming to court this morning.”
Magistrates also fined Ali £369, with a £148 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.