A Highworth restaurant owner was caught drug driving soon after his previous roads ban ended, a court heard.
Omar Miah, 31, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he admitted driving whilst over the specified delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) limit – the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger said he was stopped by police driving a Land Rover Discovery with the registration plate RA11FUS in Highworth Road on 20 October last year.
The defendant, of Queens Avenue, provided a positive drugs wipe at the roadside. He was arrested and taken to custody.
An evidential blood sample showed Miah had 2.6 micrograms of THC per litre of blood. The legal drug-drive limit is 2 micrograms.
The court heard he had been disqualified from driving for the same offence previously, committing this offence soon after the ban lifted.
Defence solicitor Mr Garbett said his client is earning £250 per week due to being on furlough from his business and had been using cannabis to cope.
It was said Miah tried to ensure he wasn’t over the limit by leaving gaps between taking the drug and driving.
He told of how the defendant moved back into the family home following the death of his father. His mother and sister were in court to support him.
His solicitor said that Miah had recently raised money for the British Heart Foundation and Help for Heroes.
Magistrates imposed a £200 fine along with a three-year disqualification. He must also pay court costs and a victim surcharge.
Three-year driving bans are mandatory when an offender commits drink or drug driving offences twice (or more) within ten years.
