A plasterer and surfing coach who has since obtained a prescription for medical cannabis has been handed a further driving ban after being caught driving whilst more than 3 times the legal cannabis limit.
David Churcher, 41, of no fixed abode, admitted a single charge of drug driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court earlier this week (Wednesday).
At around 10:30 on 30th March, police stopped a Toyota Hiace van on High Street in Sandown after receiving information that its driver might be under the influence of drugs.
Officers approached Churcher and noticed that he smelt of cannabis, with a strong smell of the Class B drug also coming from inside the van.
A roadside drug wipe was carried out, which Churcher failed.
The self-employed plasterer and surfing coach was arrested and taken to Newport Police Station for further testing. A blood test revealed that he was more than 3 times the prescribed legal limit for Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
The court heard that Churcher was already serving a 12-month driving ban for a similar offence committed after this one on the mainland earlier this year.
Defending his client, Michael McGoldrick told magistrates that Churcher suffered from neck and back pain and used cannabis to self-medicate.
He added that, at the time of the offence, Churcher was attempting to obtain a medical cannabis prescription, which he has since secured.
Magistrates handed the 41-year-old a further 14-month driving ban and ordered him to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £53 victim surcharge.
The new 14-month disqualification will be added to his existing 12-month driving ban.
