Sunderland driver is caught drug driving twice in three days

Kenneth Sproat, 37, of Mortimer Street, Pallion, Sunderland, was found over the limit after downing a total of three banned substances on two occasions last June.

He was discovered slumped in his Ford Focus in Beacon Drive, near Sunderland Marina, on Saturday, June 20, with a passenger, a court heard.

Two days later he slammed into railings at a pedestrian crossing in Station Road, Seaburn, while drugged up in the same motor.

He has now been handed a 24-week jail term, which was suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for three years after pleading guilty to five drug-drive charges.

Of the first incident, prosecutor Grace Taylor told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Officers found him unconscious in the vehicle.

“There was an occupant in the passenger seat, and the defendant was slumped in the driver’s seat.

“The officers take the keys from the ignition and attempt to raise him, but there’s no response.

“He then opened his eyes, and his pupils were dilated. He was asked to leave the vehicle several times but swore at the officers.

“Eventually the officers arrested him and took him to the station and took a blood sample.”

Tests showed he was over the legal limit for Diazepam and benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product.

Ms Taylor added: “Two days later he has collided with railings, close to a crossing.

“It was clear that he was intoxicated. A roadside breath test was negative, but a drug swipe was positive.

“The first offence was aggravated by the fact he was with a passenger and the second by the fact that he was involved in a collision.”

Traces of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and Diazepam were found in his system.

Alaister Naismith, defending, said: “He describes that he has mental health issues which have got significantly worse in the past two years.

“He has medication, but he doesn’t feel it effectively works. He was taking these drugs to get away from his mental health issues.”

Sproat must also complete 30 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service, including completing a drug support programme, and pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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