A 72-year-old man from Chale has been fined after admitting to cultivating 23 cannabis plants, before getting behind the wheel with the drug in his system.
Nicholas John Fleming, of Gladices Lane, appeared before Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to both drug and driving offences stemming from the same day in April this year.
The court heard that Fleming was stopped on Fairlee Road in Newport on 17th April when he was caught speeding. He was subsequently found to be driving with cannabis in his bloodstream above the legal limit.
Following the driving incident, officers carried out further enquiries that led to the discovery of 23 cannabis plants. The pensioner admitted to cultivating the Class B drug.
Magistrates issued a £200 fine for the drug offence, along with £85 in prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge. The cannabis plants were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
The court heard that a high-level community order would normally apply, but magistrates opted for a financial penalty due to Fleming’s age, medical conditions, and ongoing support from his GP and family. Probation services advised that unpaid work or additional rehabilitation would be unsuitable or offer limited benefit.
Fleming was also disqualified from driving for 12 months for the drug driving offence.
Oh for goodness sake legalise it, we are the joke of Europe and the civilised world. These archaic laws are ridiculous! . So many people are driving around full of painkillers and other prescription drugs and yet others are demonised for having a smoke. It’s time to legalise it !…
He would still be above the limit you clown.
What,do you mean the limit set by the policeman who’s made this law and then got busted for smoking it himself ? Haha..who’s the clown ?.
I fully agree, legalise, then drugs can be tested for any harmful inclusions, taxed, as the country is almost bankrupt by years of mismanagement, by useless government and councils feathering their own nests.
And the ‘massive’ black market disappears over night. Problems solved.
Crush the car. That would stop him driving under the influence