Magistrates have handed a Newport man a 12-month driving ban after he was found driving with cocaine and cannabis in his system, but have given consideration to the fact he has turned his life around.
30-year-old Joseph Gibbons, of Halberry Lane in Newport, pleaded guilty to drug driving and possession of cocaine at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The Crown prosecutor told the court that the facts of the matter were straightforward. Gibbons had been stopped on Trafalgar Road by Sgt Winchester on 30th April this year. A search was carried out and a small amount of cocaine was discovered in Gibbons’ pocket.
A drugs wipe was conducted at the roadside which indicated Joseph had cocaine and cannabis in his system, although the court heard he was only marginally over the limit and had not consumed drugs that day.
Defending, Henry Farley pressed that there was no reference to any unacceptable driving and that his client had held a clean licence for 5 years. Mr Farley also explained to magistrates that Gibbons’ work as a plasterer means he depends on driving.
Mr Farley described Joseph as a careful and conscientious driver, who was in a bad place at the time of the offences due to the recent loss of his grandmother.
Magistrates noted that Gibbons had turned his life around following his previous court appearances and, taking this into account, handed him the minimum 12-month driving disqualification and fined him £600. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs with a £60 surcharge.
When my grandmother’s died, I didn’t turn into am addict. Pathetic.
My thoughts exactly. I grew up knowing (and being very close to), all my grandparents. They’ve all died in the last 15 years or so, but that hasn’t made me start using drugs. Too many do gooders around who take pity on these irresponsible idiots. Yes, this guy maybe a plasterer, but he should have thought about this before driving under the influence of drugs. He’s got nobody else to blame but himself for his actions. The judicial system is far too soft on these types. A phrase springs to mind here, you make your bed, you lay in it…
Who wants a coke head plastering/working in their home. Not me. Still, he has had a clean licence for 5 years or in other words just not been cought by Police in 5 years.