Fenland drug driver 'felt fine' court told

An Elm van driver found with two drugs in his system has been banned from the roads.

David Quartly, 44, was pulled over in Downham Market when a police officer recognised him from previous dealings, King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday.

“There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the defendant was presenting as under the influence of drugs,” said prosecutor Colette Harper.

Quartly failed a roadside drug wipe and was arrested. A later test showed that he had 14 microgrammes of a cannabis metabolite per litre of blood in his system. The prescribed limit is two.

He also had 101 microgrammes of a cocaine metabolite per litre of blood; the limit being 50.

Quartly, of All Saints Close, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug-driving on August 20, 2020.

Tiffany Meredith, mitigating, said the defendant was helping a friend out with removals at the time.

“He does use cannabis and, as often happens, he had no idea it stays in the system for such a long time.

“He finds it difficult to accept the second charge. He has used cocaine once in a blue moon.

“He is sorry for what happened. I can’t say it was a very short distance – he had driven quite a lengthy distance but he felt fine.”

Quartly was disqualified from driving for 12 months on each count, to run concurrently. He was fined a total of £200 and ordered to pay £105 costs and £34 victim surcharge.