Man found to be over drug-drive limit after police smell cannabis when he was pulled over

Callum Scott, 25, was pulled over at the wheel of his black Vauxhall Astra in Greystone Avenue, Sunderland by police officers who wanted to check his documents.

When they approached the car they noticed the smell of cannabis.

Scott, of Seaham Street, Silksworth, Sunderland, then gave a positive roadside drugs test and was arrested on Sunday, June 28.

Further samples at a police station confirmed he had drugs in his system, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

The electrician has now been banned from driving for a year after admitting the offence, his first criminal conviction,

Magistrates heard he had 3.9mcgs of delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol, a cannabis derivative in his system. The legal limit is 2mcgs.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said: “The defendant is the owner of a black Vauxhall Astra.

“Just before midnight an officer saw the vehicle being driven on Greystone Avenue. He stopped the vehicle.

“He could smell cannabis and the defendant admitted using it earlier. A roadside test proved positive for cannabis.

“He was taken to a police station and two samples of blood were taken of which the lowest reading was 3.9mcgs.”

Duncan Emmerson, defending, said: “The defendant is ashamed to be here today, being of exemplary character.

“Unfortunately, he sometimes uses cannabis for recreational use, and he used it sometime before this.

“He felt perfectly well to drive, but that’s no defence.

“There appeared to have been some issue with his documentation and no issue with his driving, and that needs to be stressed.

“If you looked on your guidelines for aggravating features, you’ll see that this is a case devoid of aggravating features.

“There were no passengers, and he was not driving as a taxi. Therefore, I think you can deal with him as leniently as possible.

“He’s a hard-working man. He’s going to speak to his employer, but I don’t think there will be a problem with his employment.”

As well as the ban, magistrates fined Scott, who pleaded guilty to drug-driving, £280 and there were £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.