A Pembroke man who smoked a ‘reefer’ and then hopped in his car later that day has been handed a motoring ban after admitting driving under the influence.
Twenty-four-year-old Dylan Cooper of St Davids Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to admit driving a Mini Cooper with a proportion of cannabis in his system.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that on September 10 of last year, police officers pulled Mr. Cooper over in his vehicle at around 1.30 am on a routine stop.
“Officers could smell cannabis in the vehicle and on the driver’s clothing. A roadside drug swipe proved positive and a blood sample was taken at the police station after the defendant’s arrest,” he explained.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told magistrates that it was always unfortunate when someone of entirely clean character came before the court.
“On the night in question, much much earlier, Mr. Cooper had smoked a reefer, but by 1.30 am , he thought he was ok to drive. He was open and honest with the police when stopped.
“Mr. Cooper’s boss at his place of employment have given as glowing a testimonial as I’ve ever seen, and he’s such a good worker that measures have been put in place for him to keep his job, despite his driving ban,” added Mr. Webb.
Magistrates handed Mr. Cooper a 12 month driving disqualification and fined him £334 for the offence.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £34 victim surcharge.