A 35-year-old motorcyclist who was involved in a collision on Fairlee Road over the Christmas period while 8 times the legal ketamine limit has been banned from driving for 24 months and handed a 24-month community order.
Joshua Cowley, of Coronation Road in Cowes, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing this afternoon (Friday) in relation to 3 drug-driving offences and 2 charges of assaulting a police officer.
Cowley had previously pleaded guilty to all 5 offences on 12th and 19th May, with the case adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Prosecutor Serena Edwards told the court that police were called to Fairlee Road at around 14:30 on 27th December last year after Cowley was involved in a road traffic collision while riding his motorbike.
Officers carried out a preliminary roadside drug test, which returned a positive result for cannabis.
Due to injuries sustained in the collision, Cowley was taken to hospital, where a blood sample was later taken and tested for drugs.
The court heard that the analysis identified 3 substances.
A cannabis reading of 5.3 micrograms was recorded against a legal limit of 2, while diazepam was recorded at 691 micrograms against a limit of 550.
Ketamine was recorded at 160 micrograms, 8 times the legal limit of 20.
Cowley was also sentenced for offences committed on 20th March this year, when he assaulted 2 police officers as they carried out their duties.
Ms Edwards said officers had attended an address in East Cowes after Cowley’s behaviour was reported to have become erratic, leaving another occupant of the property fearing for their safety.
The court heard that when police arrived they were told Cowley was under the influence of ketamine, cannabis and cocaine.
Ms Edwards said Cowley challenged the officers to fight as they attempted to arrest him.
During the incident, he spat on the head, face and beard of one officer and kicked, bit and grabbed the neck of a female officer, the court heard.
Defending, Oscar Vincent said the occupant of the property had withdrawn their complaint by the time officers arrived as Cowley was beginning to return to normal.
Mr Vincent told the Magistrates that the presence of police had made his client’s behaviour worse and submitted that the arrest had not been handled well.
In mitigation, Mr Vincent said Cowley had been avoiding substance misuse and was currently mentally stable.
Magistrates sentenced Cowley to a 24-month community order and disqualified him from driving for 24 months.
He was also ordered to pay £394.
