A DRUG-DRIVER was stopped by police after he was seen driving at speed and tailgating the vehicle in front.

Officers saw a Mercedes vehicle being driven by Michael Power, 26, on the A5086 at Lamplugh on October 21 last year, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the Mercedes was being driven at ‘high speed’ and was tailgating the vehicle in front.

The officer wanted to check the driver was fit to drive and followed the vehicle to Moota, where it was stopped. The officer could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.

Some drugs were located and Power was required to provide a drug sample at the roadside.

An evidential sample of blood was then taken at the police station, which showed the defendant had 2.7mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH) per litre of blood. The specified limit is 2mcg.

During police interview, Power gave a pre-prepared statement, which said the cannabis in the centre console of the vehicle was for his personal use.

Power, of Stanhope Road, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a specified drug over the limit and possessing a Class B drug.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, said: “I’m sorry. I won’t be doing stuff like that again. I’m not a regular cannabis user. It was a one-off. I hadn’t used any that day.”

Magistrates banned Power from driving for 17 months. He was fined £425 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £170 victim surcharge.