Bodelwyddan drug-driver ‘didn't realise he was over limit'
James Burke, 40, of Bryn Dedwydd, was handed a 16-month disqualification from driving at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday (June 2).
Burke, who pleaded guilty to drug-driving during yesterday's hearing, was also ordered to pay more than £500.
The court heard that, just after 5am on February 20, a police officer saw Burke driving an Audi vehicle on the A525 with a defective headline.
He was pursued by the officer until he brought his car to a stop, after which he returned a positive roadside test for cannabis.
In custody, he gave a sample of his blood, which was found to contain 15 micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – a compound in cannabis.
Mitigating, Burke's solicitor asked the court to acknowledge his 'timely guilty plea' and his absence of any 'relevant previous convictions'.
Burke 'didn't realise he was over the legal limit' at the time, the court was told.
A father of two, he is in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, and is trying to find work as a digger driver.
Sentencing, District Judge Gwyn Jones fined Burke £300, and ordered him to pay £85 in costs, and a surcharge of £120.
His licence was also endorsed.
'Please don't drive while banned,' the judge told Burke.
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