A man has been banned from the roads after driving whilst 15 times over the drug limit.
Scaffolder Adam Henderson, 37, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of benzoylecgonine – the main metabolite of cocaine – when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Kate Prince said the defendant, of Walcot, was stopped driving a BMW by police on Great Western Way in Swindon at around 12.45pm on 8 January this year.
The officer required a sample of breath from him, which came back negative. Though a subsequent drug swipe revealed a positive line for cocaine.
A blood sample was taken in custody, and later revealed that the level for benzoylecgonine was greater than 800 micrograms per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.
The court heard how Henderson has a previous conviction for failing to provide a sample in 2020.
Richard Williams, defending, said his client “put his hands up” – adding that the police did not have any concerns about his manner of driving before he was stopped.
He said the defendant, who supports his family as the breadwinner, was living at the Holiday Inn with his partner – who has health issues – and children at the time of the crime.
District Judge Joanna Dickens said: “I can’t understand whay you were thinking on this occasion, you’re not a young tearaway… you were ten times over the limit.”
She handed down a three-year driving ban and a £400 fine. Henderson must also pay costs of £85 and a £40 surcharge.
