A man from East Cowes has been banned from driving after rolling his car into a field whilst high on cocaine and cannabis.
25-year-old Adam Karl Johnston of Clarence Road was driving a Citroen C3 along Stroud Wood Road near Ryde on the night of 2nd June last year when the vehicle left the road.
The hatchback rolled into a field with the contents of the car scattered all around as the C3 flipped. Ponies grazing in the field were uninjured.
When Police arrived at the scene the driver was no where to be seen, but Johnston was soon found nearby and admitted he had been driving.
The Isle of Wight Magistrates Court heard this week how the 25-year-old tested positive for both cocaine and cannabis after the single vehicle crash.
Appearing before the bench on Tuesday, Johnston admitted 2 counts of drug driving – the other charge relating to an incident in Whippingham just weeks before on 15th May 2020. On that occasion Johnston was found to be driving whilst over the drug drive limit when he was stopped heading into his hometown. Tests showed he was over 3x the limit having consumed cannabis – a Class B drug.
Johnston was also caught drug driving back in March 2020, which led to a conviction for drug dealing.
Defending, Mr James Cameron said that his client struggled with an addiction to both Class A and Class B drugs, but was making positive progress and is no longer consuming drugs.
Magistrates handed down a 15-month driving ban and ordered Adam Johnston to pay £300 costs with a £95 surcharge. He has also been made subject to a curfew for a period of 4 months.
The sentences handed out here on the island are so lenient.. Absolutely no deterrent whatsoever.
Three offences and only a 15 month driving ban hardly a deterrent after all the police hard work
So Drug Driving Twice and a Conviction for Dealing, Just shy of £400 fine and a 15 month ban. Along with a curfew for 4 Months. Ummm am i missing something???? Where is the sentence? No wonder the island is getting worse for these cases as there is no punishment. I’m sure the damage caused to the hedge, the tow truck to get the car out and the wages of all people involved is alot more than the petty fine he received. No Deterrent whatsoever. Its not even April 1st and maybe the judges are ex circus staff but clearly this sentence cannot be right
The sentence does not appear to reflect the serious of the crimes, especially as this isn’t the first time.
There is a legal limit for illegal drugs???
Now let us take that in.
I think it is more like a baseline level. There are traces of illegal drugs on many every day objects such as cash,door handles that sort of thing.The legal limit is so people who have inadvertently come into contact are not wrongfully prosecuted.