A WEST Cumbrian motorist who was involved in an accident with a pedestrian has admitted driving while over the limit for two drugs.

Shaun Gant, 38, of Dent View, Egremont, appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to two drug driving offences.

He admitted driving while he was over the limit for the cocaine breakdown product known as benzoylecgonine and also for diazepam, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, described how police became involved after a woman pedestrian was knocked down after a collision with the defendant’s Hyundai car in Bransty Road, Whitehaven, at 6.15pm on November 25 last year.

“This defendant’s vehicle was involved in a collision with a lady who received injuries and needed medical treatment,” said Mr Kelly. The lawyer pointed out that Gant had not been charged in relation to the accident.

But the pedestrian had needed medical treatment.

When police arrived at the scene of the accident, the defendant was arrested after a roadside drugs test yielded a positive result.

He was then taken to the police station so that a sample of his blood could be taken for further analysis.

That blood test later confirmed that Gant was over the limit for both the cocaine breakdown product and for traces of diazepam.

The reading for the benzoylecgonine was 122mcg per litre of blood. This was just over twice the permitted legal limit, said Mr Kelly.

The diazepam reading in Gant’s blood was just under twice the legal limit.

Mr Kelly continued: “The defendant said that he was insured to drive the vehicle and he accepted he was involved in the collision.

“He said there was no problem with the vehicle.

“He said the lady effectively stepped out in front of his car and there was a collision. He stopped immediately and went over to offer assistance.”

Rachel Dixon, for Gant, said: “On that day, the defendant felt fully fit to drive and didn’t think there were drugs still in his system. It was a shock when the results came through and they were in his system.

“He doesn’t have any relative recent convictions.”

The lawyer added that Gant had been told he will lose his job with a local building firm if he is banned from driving. The defendant’s partner also needed to make twice monthly trips to hospital in Newcastle to have treatment for a medical condition.

District Judge Gerald Chalk fined the defendant £90, with £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He told the defendant that he had no option other than to impose a disqualification, given the offences involved.

The District Judge told Gant: “I must disqualify you from driving. I disqualify you for 18 months.”