A teenager with a ‘bright future’ has avoided losing her licence despite driving erratically in Thamesdown Drive the day after smoking cannabis.
Kaci Luker, 19, was initially charged with driving whilst unfit through drugs but prosecutor Keith Ballinger withdrew the charge in favour of driving without due care and attention – an offence which does not carry a mandatory disqualification. She was also charged with possession of cannabis.
It was the Crown’s case that the defendant, of Cobden Road, Ferndale, was in her 2008 Peugeot on 21 September last year when officers spotted her weaving across lanes and driving close to vehicles in front. They believed her standard of driving was poor.
Believing she may have been impaired through drink or drugs or using her mobile phone whilst driving, the officers followed her along Thamesdown Drive and to the A361 Highworth Road. During this time, officers observed the vehicle swerving and undertaking on several occasions.
Concerned by what they had witnessed, they pulled her over. On smelling cannabis, a roadside drugs wipe was undertaken and returned a positive result.
During a Misuse of Drugs Act search of the vehicle, police found a small quantity of cannabis in her purse.
In custody, Luker provided a sample of blood which confirmed a trace of cannabis below the drug-drive limit.
Defending, Richard Williams told the court that his client was “rather horrified” about her arrest and ending up in court. She’s a new driver with no endorsements or prior matters recorded against her.
He said Luker did not wish to content the manner of driving observed but says she did not smoke cannabis that day. She admitted smoking it the night before but felt confident her ability to drive was not impaired the next morning.
Following her release from custody, a friend following her car noticed the rear indicators were not working. She was not aware of this issue at the time but feels it may have contributed to the concern she was moving around with indicating, Mr Willams added.
He said he has a “bright future” having secured an accountancy apprenticeship. The court heard she had not yet informed her boss about the incident, but would do so following her sentencing.
Describing her as “thoroughly ashamed”, he told of how remorseful Luker has sold her vehicle thinking she would be disqualified on the original charge of driving whilst unfit through drugs – a charge later withdrawn.
Taking into account her previous good character and clean licence, magistrates decided to sentence her to four penalty points on her licence and a fine of £61.
For the possession of cannabis, she was fined £123 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £34. The court also ordered destruction of the drugs.
