A nuclear worker was caught drug driving after being pulled over by police for an expired MOT.

William Parker, 40, was stopped by police driving a black Audi A3, travelling from Howgate on the B5306, at 1.45pm on February 17.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, told Workington Magistrates’ Court that Parker had an expired MOT, which is why he was stopped.

After being spoken to by police, a breath test was carried out which was negative, but a drugs wipe was positive for cocaine.

Parker was taken to the police station and a blood sample was taken.

It showed he 131mcg of Benzoylecgonine – the body breakdown product of cocaine – per litre of blood.

The legal limit is 50mcg. The defendant, who was unrepresented, told magistrates: “I’m guilty. That’s about it. It was a passing thing in the pub the night before. I don’t even drink.

“My MOT had run out. I had gone to the garage to book it in. That’s what I got pulled over for."

Parker, a mechanical fitter at Sellafield, said he didn’t know how he was going to get to work after losing his licence. “Because of this I’ve had an investigation at work. It’s ruined my life, really.

“I’m sorry. It will never happen again.”

Parker, of Coronation Crescent, Distington, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £215 and must pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.