A Cowes man who was on his way to the tip when Police pulled him over because his car smelt of cannabis has been handed a 12-month driving disqualification.
Charlie Southcott, 26, of Newport Road admitted drug driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Friday (14th April).
The court heard how officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary were alerted to Southcott’s car – a BMW 1-series – whilst he was travelling up Staplers Road in Newport, because of the strong smell of cannabis that was coming from it.
Police pulled the 26-year-old over and conducted a roadside drugs wipe, which returned a positive result.
Southcott was taken to Newport Police Station where a blood test was carried out. This returned a reading of 3.2ug/l – the legal limit for cannabis is 2ug/l.
Defending Southcott, Jim Osborne said that the 26-year-old deeply regrets his actions and that he didn’t realise that cannabis would still be in his system having consumed it the night before. It was also added that Southcott – who had become addicted to the drug at the time of the incident in an attempt to alleviate his mental health struggles – has been clean from the drug for just over 1 month.
Charlie Southcott was handed a 12-month driving ban. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £120, costs of £85 and a surcharge fee of £48.
Travelling down Staplers road, yet officers could smell cannabis? Were they parked in a layby or following behind?
Who cares as long as the druggy scum was caught
More swivel eyed, drug taking, caulkhead scum. Glad this potential life wrecker was caught, named and shamed. Try exercise to alleviate your mental health struggles next time!
How did the police smell cannabis while they were in their patrol car?
Do They now carry dope detectors on their vehicles. If so it would be going off continually over here
To those of us that have never used cannabis we can smell it a mile away, it’s a disgusting smell.
Every other house in Ventnor would set it off…
who had become addicted to the drug at the time of the incident in an attempt to alleviate his mental health struggles… and the three bears.
On the one hand he hadn’t had any since the previous evening. On the other hand he was addicted. Seems like they’re just trying to say anything for a reduced sentence.
Clean of the drug for a month but had it the night before being stopped. Blimey what boat did he come over in? Come to that what boat did the Judge come over in?
How can there be a legal limit for an illegal substance?
The reason alcohol isn’t zero is because the body produces a small amount of alcohol naturally from what we eat so the likelihood every driver would be probably positive and I would assume something a little similar with medication such as co-deine, co-proximal etc however with cannabis there is no excuse apart from it stays in the body longer.
The only thing wrong with weed is that it’s illegal. Alcohol is a far worse drug.
If it was legal, then it wouldn’t be the financial fuel for organised crime and have such an unfair reputation.
There are plenty of legal drugs from the pharmacy that are far worse.
Not condoning driving whilst over the limit though.
I love the last line of your comment, because that is exactly what you appear to be doing!
addicted to a non-addictive drug……..?