Sunderland motorist had drugs in his system when police spotted him driving on the wrong side of the road

A Sunderland man has lost his licence after admitting driving while unfit through drugs.
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Peter Grose, 23, of Castle View, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said Grose was stopped by a police officer after he saw him driving on the wrong side of the road in North Moor Lane on July 30 this year at around 8.55pm.

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However, the officer said the car was going at the speed limit.

South Shields Magistrates' Court. South Shields Magistrates' Court.
South Shields Magistrates' Court.

She said: “The officer could see no reason why it was on the wrong side of the road.”

After the car was stopped Grose admitted to the officer he had been taking drugs and a small amount of white powder was found in the vehicle.

Tests showed acid and cocaine in Grose’s system.

Ian Martin, defending, said his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and co-operated with the police.

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He said although he accepted he was unfit to drive because of the drugs he had taken, his client disputed driving completely on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Martin said: “He recalls that he veered slightly and then returned back to where he should be, not that he was driving entirely on the wrong carriageway.”

He said Grose has some learning difficulties and also had Asperger’s Syndrome and he was self-medicating with the drugs to deal with his issues.

Grose was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.