A man drove his car in Essex whilst a staggering 25 times over the cocaine driving limit.
Appearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (6 July), 31-year-old Daniel Arthur Barns pleaded guilty to driving whilst under the influence of cannabis and cocaine at levels above the legal limit.
Prosecutor Kate Prince said the defendant’s car – a Ford Focus ST – was spotted overtaking two vehicles at speed on a road in Canvey Island, Essex, on 22 January this year.
Concerned about his manner of driving, the officer pulled Barns over and asked him to carry out a roadside drug swipe – which indicated positive for cannabis and cocaine.
In custody, blood samples were taken and the reading for cocaine was 260 micrograms per litre of blood – putting him 25 times over the legal limit of just 10 micrograms.
Emma Hillier, defending, said that her client has been clean for the past two months and is currently engaged with Turning Point and Mind for his drug and mental health issues.
“You were high as a kite”, District Judge Joanna Dickens said.
Adding: “This is one of the highest readings I’ve seen for a very long time… you’re lucky to be alive and that you didn’t cause an accident.”
She imposed an 18-month roads ban and fined him £369. No costs were awarded due to his lack of means.
