Washington man caught smoking cannabis in car
A Washington man was caught smoking a cannabis joint in his car when he decided to move his motor to safety while visiting his girlfriend’s mum, a court heard.
Rotimi Shobo, 38, lit up after getting into his black Vauxhall Corsa in Graystone Place, Southwick, Sunderland, on Monday, November 10.
Shobo, of Lumley Close, Oxclose, intended to move it a maximum of 20m, due to concerns stones were being thrown in the neighbourhood.
But the water firm worker came a cropper when passing police smelled cannabis in the air and investigated further, prosecutor Clare Haswell said.
They found him in the driver’s seat and with the engine running – and he confessed he had more of the prohibited class B substance in his vehicle.
Shobo was not seen driving and pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while over the drug drive limit, an offence which carries a maximum six-month ban or 10 penalty points.
District Judge Zoe Passfield allowed him to carry on driving by imposing the latter penalty during a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Ms Haswell said: “Officers were on duty in Graystone Place and saw a vehicle parked. The street smelled strongly of cannabis.
“The vehicle was standing with its engine running and the defendant was in the driver’s seat, and he appeared to be smoking a joint.
“The defendant also said that there was more cannabis in the vehicle, but he has not been charged with that.”
Shobo, who has no previous convictions, gave a reading in blood for cannabis breakdown product THC of greater than 9.8mcg. The legal limit is 2mcg.
James Rickerby, defending, told Judge Passfield: “On the day in question, he had been visiting his girlfriend’s mother and the car was parked outside.
“He decided to move the vehicle about 10 or 20m, around the corner. He wasn’t planning to drive anywhere.
“He did that because of anti-social behaviour, with people throwing stones – then the police arrived.
“He is genuinely remorseful and embarrassed, it’s his first time before a court and he’s found the experience distressing.
“He was smoking cannabis but since this offence, he’s completely cut that out.”
Judge Passfield also fined Shobo £500, with a £200 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.