A drug-driver caught driving his Volvo car had 16-times the legal limit of a cocaine derivative in his system.

At Carlisle's Rickergate magistrates' court, tree surgeon Tomas Padraig Cash, 21, admitted drug driving. He told the court he had taken cocaine at a party the day before he was stopped by police.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said that police officers became suspicious after spotting Cash in his car on Bridge Lane, Penrith, at 4.20pm on March 5.

He was in his car, about to drive off the forecourt of a garage there.

“The defendant made an attempt to duck down and cover his face,” said Mrs Ward, explaining why the officers were suspicious.

The officers followed the defendant as he drove first along Castlegate, and then into Cromwell Road, and finally into the nearby Morrisons car park.

After parking there, the police officers approached Cash and his behaviour clearly suggested that he had taken some illegal substance, said Mrs Ward.

He appeared disorientated, his eyes were red, and the pupils dilated.

He also talked compulsively, and seemed to have poor balance, said Mrs Ward.

She said: "He immediately started talking and seemed unable to keep quiet.

When he was drug-tested the result was positive and a later analysis showed the presence of Benzoylecgonine – a derivative of cocaine – in excess of 800mcg.

The legal limit is 50mcg.

The defendant has a previous conviction for possessing cocaine and the veterinary drug ketamine.

Gail Heard, for Cash, said that the defendant had confirmed taking cocaine at a party the night before but he did not feel he was in any way impaired for driving.

“He clearly disputes the assessment of the police officer,” said Mrs Heard.

“But he accepts the result of the drugs test.

“But there is no suggestion of incompetent driving. He stopped when asked to and he cooperated with the police officer.

"He accepts he will be disqualified as a result of this.”

The defendant's employer had agreed to keep him on even when inevitably he had lost his licence as a result of the conviction and Cash had agreed that he will undergo voluntary drug testing at work, said the lawyer.

"He feels that this is appropriate," added Mrs Heard.

Magistrates banned Cash, of Howard Street, Penrith, for 20 months.

He was also fined £200 and told to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.