A Kilgetty man has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting getting behind the wheel with a quantity of cocaine still in his system.
Twenty-three-year-old Jack Adams, of Oakfield Drive, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to admit driving a VW Golf on Saundersfoot’s Milford Street with a proportion of Benzoylecgonine in his system.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that on September 5 of last year, police officers on routine patrol stopped Mr. Adams in his vehicle after he committed a moving traffic offence.
“Asked by officers if he’d taken any drink or drugs, the defendant said that he’d taken some cocaine recently.
“A roadside drugs swipe proved positive and he was arrested. Mr. Adams has a relevant previous drink-drive conviction,” continued Mr. Pritchard-Jones.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that Mr. Adams had taken cocaine a lot longer than 24 hours before he was stopped by police, and that the drug in his system Benzoylecgonine, was a breakdown of cocaine.
“The drug stays in your system for some time, so this is a stark warning not only to Mr. Adams, but others too, that you might find yourself over the limit some time after.
“Mr. Adams works in a garage/petrol station in the locality, so he will be able to walk of cycle to work, and won’t lose his job despite being banned from driving,” added Mr. Webb.
Magistrates told the defendant that it was ‘disappointing’ to see him back in court again for a charge of driving under the influence, before handing him a three-year driving disqualification.
Mr. Adams was also fined £220 for the offence and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.