A PROCESS worker who was caught drug-driving told magistrates that he only smokes cannabis on his 10 days off work.

Police witnessed Andrew Jackson, 39, driving a Ford Fiesta on Meadow Road in Whitehaven on March 10.

Checks showed that the car’s MOT had expired and Jackson was pulled over by officers, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said a roadside breath test was negative but a drugs wipe was positive for cannabis.

A blood sample showed Jackson was over the limit for Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol – the body breakdown product for cannabis. He had 3.9mcg of the drug per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.0mcg.

Jackson, who was unrepresented, said: “The officer said my driving was fine. I hadn’t realised my MOT had expired.”

When asked if he would like to say anything about his drug use, Jackson, who is a process worker, replied: “I work shifts. I don’t really smoke it unless I’m on my 10 days off. It was my 10 days off period.

“I have been a bit naïve.”

Jackson, of Northumberland Street, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit and using a vehicle on a road without a valid test certificate.

The defendant was banned from driving for 12 months. He was fined £520 and must pay £85 costs and a £52 victim surcharge.