Wisbech driver sentenced for drug driving after doing a favour for a friend
An unlicensed driver from Wisbech had a cocaine derivative in his system when he got behind the wheel to do a favour for a friend.
Matthew Gareth Davies, of Southwell Road, pleaded guilty to four motoring offences - drug-driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, having no insurance and no MOT – when he appeared before King’s Lynn Magistrates’ court on Thursday (September 19).
Prosecuting, Jane Walker said police’s attention was drawn to a VW Passat travelling in the opposite direction in Clenchwarton Road, Lynn, on the morning of March 27.
The car went into McDonald’s car park and stopped. Police checks revealed that 50-year-old Davies had an expired licence, no insurance and the test certificate had expired in September 2018. He also failed a roadside drug wipe and was arrested.
A later evidential test showed 167 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood; the specified limit being 50.
In mitigation, solicitor Ruth Johnson said: “He was helping a friend out who was particularly unwell and urgently needed something doing. She now feels absolutely mortified that he took it upon himself to help her out and finds himself in this situation.”
For drug-driving, Davies was disqualified for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge. There were no separate penalties for the other offences but his licence will be endorsed.