NEWS FEED
A man who drove his car under the influence of drugs has been banned from driving for three years.
Christopher Jones, 29 and of Poole, pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday 16 September to driving a motor vehicle with the proportion of a specified controlled drug exceeding the prescribed limit and for withholding information to obtain insurance. He was also told to pay a £450 fine.
Jones was reported to officers by members of the public between March and June 2016 who had concerns with the manner of his driving.
Officers built up an intelligence picture on Jones and discovered he had failed to tell his insurance company about his previous motoring convictions meaning his insurance was invalid.
On 21 July 2016 officers spotted Jones driving a Vauxhall Corsa on West Street in Poole. A roadside drug test was carried out and he was found to be almost twice over the limit for cannabis.
Police Constable Dave Cotterill, of Dorset Police’s Roads Policing Team, said: “Jones was reported to us regarding the manner of his driving. Through effective use of intelligence and the ‘DrugWipe’ swab we have taken a dangerous repeat road offender off Dorset’s roads. I would like to thank the members of public who reported concerns over Jones’ driving.
“Since March 2015 officers have now been able to test for specified drugs at the roadside using an oral swab. This is a prime example of how we are using this new law to tackle individuals who drug drive.
“If you have any information in regards to drink or drug drivers, please contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
