Sunderland takeaway delivery driver banned from roads after cocaine binge

Jordan Quinn, 23, was driving a Volkswagen Polo on the A690, on February 16, when he was stopped by police, Sunderland magistrates heard.

He was found to have 194 microgrammes of Benzoylegonine – a metabolite of cocaine – in 100ml of blood – the legal limit being 50.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “Officers stopped him close to the Barnes roundabout, as a brake light was not working. A roadside breath test was positive for cocaine.

“He was over the limit by a considerable amount. The offence carries a disqualification and there is no getting away from that today.”

Quinn, of Windlestone Walk, Ryhope, pleaded guilty to driving with a controlled drug over the specified limit.

He has a conviction for diving with excess alcohol dating back to 2009, the court heard.

Ian Jordan, defending, said Quinn would lose the delivery job he just landed, after 18 months out of work.

“It was 7.30am on Tuesday, February 16,” he said. “He was at a house party on Sunday, February 14. He is not a common partaker in recreational drugs, but he accepts that he did consume cocaine.

“He didn’t drive until Tuesday, when his friend, who is a disqualified driver, asked him to take him somewhere in his vehicle. He didn’t feel any effects of the drug.

“The vehicle was stopped by the police. There is no evidence of erratic driving. The vehicle was stopped because Mr Quinn’s friend is a disqualified driver so it flags up. There was a blown bulb.”

Quinn was fined £100 with £85 costs and £20 surcharge. He was banned from driving for a year.