A Carlisle motorist recorded one of the highest drug-driving levels seen in a UK court.

Alexander McAllister had about 16 times the legal limit of an illegal drug in his system when stopped by police.

Magistrates in the Rickergate court complex in Carlisle heard how officers stopped a white Mercedes A class car on Warwick Road in the city at about 2am on Wednesday, May 10.

As it stopped, the car hit a kerb and then went onto a pavement.

The police officer who spoke to driver McAllister smelled something on his breath. An examination the car revealed white powder, later identified as cocaine.

The court heard McAllister, 22, was described as very “fidgety”. He was arrested and taken to Durranhill Police station where his blood was tested for drugs.

He was found to have 800mcg the drug BZE [Benzoyylecgonine], a metabolised form of cocaine, per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

It is believed to be one of the highest recorded readings since the drug-driving offence was introduced.

McAllister, a self-employed painter and decorator of High Road, off London Road, represented himself in court and apologised for the offence.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £320 and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.