A WHITEHAVEN dad driving his family home after a holiday had more than five times the legal limit for cocaine in his system, a court heard.

Matthew Shepherd, 32, was caught after police stopped him on the A66 at Temple Sowerby on the afternoon of June 21, magistrates heard. 

The defendant, of Ennerdale Terrace, Whitehaven, admitted drug driving.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting at Carlisle's Rickergate Court, said police stopped the defendant's Ford Mondeo after receiving reports about the poor standard of the defendant's driving.

In the car with him were his partner and their children. "The officers decided to carry out some initial tests," said Mr Kelly. "A breath-test [for alcohol] was negative.

"However, a saliva test came back positive for cocaine. The defendant was then arrested and taken back to Carlisle and asked to provide a blood sample."

That showed Shepherd had just over five times the cocaine limit in his body.

Mr Kelly said police did not directly witness any poor driving by the defendant but this was reported to the police.

District Judge John Temperley asked the defendant directly why he was drug driving.

Shepherd replied: "Please don't think this is an excuse; I've done this and I'm guilty but I went through a bad time.

"I'd had a couple of bereavements in the family and had a bit of a breakdown."

When he went on holiday, a family member caught Covid and was unable to go, he said.

The defendant added: "To be honest, I'm glad this happened because I was spiralling out of control.

"It all came to a head one night: I got drunk; I took cocaine one night. But I've used this as a catalyst; I've engaged with Unity and actually been discharged by them.

"And I've engaged with First Steps and I'm now taking medication to help me and have started a new job."

Shepherd said he was naive, not realising cocaine would stay in his system for so long, having taken the drug on the Saturday before being stopped by police on the Monday.

He never wanted to put his family risk, he said.

The defendant added that he had told his new employer - Sellafield - about his offence and he was on a programme of enhanced drug sampling at work.

District Judge John Temperley noted that the defendant had used the experience to make "positive changes" to his life. He fined him £400, with £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge. Shepherd was given an 18-month driving ban.