30-year-old Regan Gandy has been disqualified from driving for 12 months after she crashed into a parked car whilst high on cannabis back in February of this year.
Gandy, of Trafalgar Road in Newport, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.
The court heard from prosecutor Liz Miller that Regan Gandy had been driving along Trafalgar Road at lunchtime on 13th February when she ploughed into a Ford Focus that was parked at the side of the road.
Police were called to the scene and conducted a drugs wipe, which showed a positive result. Later blood analysis confirmed the presence of cannabis.
Defending, Barry Arnett explained to the court that his client was suffering with mental health pressures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Working in the care industry, he explained that Regan had experienced 15 deaths of residents – 5 of which she was present for. He said that his client had gone to the doctors for help in getting to sleep but was prescribed anti-histamines. It’s at this point she turned to cannabis and became a registered cardholder for the use of medical cannabis for depression and anxiety.
Magistrates handed Gandy a 12-month driving ban, a £120 fine and ordered her to pay £85 costs with a £34 surcharge.
