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A Neston man has been banned from driving for 12 months after cocaine was found in his system following a tip-off to police.
As reported by The Standard, Paul Rowe, 47, of Treetops, Neston, pleaded guilty to drug driving at Chester Magistrates Court on 20 October.
The court heard that on 15 July at 6:26 am, police stopped Rowe's van on the M56 after they received intelligence he may've consumed drugs before driving.
A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine.
Prosecutor Tayla McCoy said Rowe recorded a reading of more than 400mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown component of cocaine. She noted that while Rowe had previous drug driving offences, this incident fell outside the 10-year reoffending period.
A duty solicitor representing Rowe told magistrates there was no suggestion his driving had been bad. He explained that Rowe had been convinced to take cocaine at a party days before the incident and he believed the drugs had left his system.
The court heard how the conviction had effected Rowe's life. He lost his job in Selby, North Yorkshire, for gross misconduct and has been forced to move back to Neston to live with his parents.
The solicitor said Rowe's search for employment would be helped if he can eventually return to driving.
Magistrates fined Rowe £120 and ordered him to pay a £48 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs. He was given a mandatory 12-month driving ban.
