A man from Luton was caught driving whilst high on cannabis when Red Funnel staff reported him to Police, Magistrates heard this week.
Kurtis Smith, 37, of Farley Hill in Luton, Bedfordshire appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with drug driving.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, explained to the court that Smith arrived at the Red Funnel terminal in Southampton and attracted the attention of staff as he had been seen smoking a joint. His vehicle, a silver VW Golf, also smelt strongly of cannabis.
Police were informed of the situation and made their way to East Cowes, where they waited for the inbound ferry to dock and for Kurtis Smith to drive off.
The Golf was pulled over on Well Road and a drugs wipe was carried out, which Smith failed.
The electrician, who has no previous convictions, is said to have regularly used cannabis to help him sleep. Defending, James Cameron told Magistrates that his client has since stopped smoking cannabis and now uses an alternative, legal CBD.
Mr Cameron made a point of saying that there was no suggestion that his client’s driving was impaired and that Smith apologises for the offence and recognises the danger of drug driving.
Magistrates disqualified Kurtis Smith from driving for 12 months and fined him £392. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 with a £39 surcharge.
Well, that’s a nice friendly welcome to the island, I must say….. I bet he won’t be back in a hurry?
Wouldn’t want the druggie back either we got enough of our own
Good. Shows the junkies that we don’t want them here.
This bloke could have caused an accident, killed or seriously injured innocent people. Do you think this is acceptable MC Hammer? What if it were a loved one of yours? Who cares people like this idiot don’t come back to the island. We’ve got enough ‘home grown’ idiots, we don’t need others joining in.
Mr Cameron made a point of saying that there was no suggestion that his client’s driving was impaired
and
The electrician, who has no previous convictions, is said to have regularly used cannabis to help him sleep
……….
The guy was smashed on cannabis – clearly his driving was impaired.
perhaps a couple of beers would be fine then, as your driving may not be impaired.
uses it to sleep – what at the wheel of his car -jeez, these junkies are full of it.
Yes, it is unbelievable how these cannabis smoking pot heads actually think that the drug doesn’t impair them. Seems that this blight on society is invading the island faster than the virus – you can smell the disgusting filth everywhere you go these days.
To help him sleep? What did he fancy a sleep whilst driving?