A MOTORIST whose car was stopped on the M6 near Carlisle because he was uninsured was over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product.

Robert OByrne, 36, admitted both offences when he appeared before the city’s Rickergate court. He was stopped by the police as he drove southwards on the motorway in a Vauxhall Astra.

After he failed a roadside drugs swipe test he was asked to provide a blood sample, which later showed he had 16 times the legal limit for a cocaine breakdown product in his system.

The court heard that OByrne, a self-employed joiner, was convicted in 2017 for drink driving, though from the court’s dock he said he was suicidal at the time of that offence.

Defence lawyer Andrew Gurney said the defendant, of Galston, East Ayrshire, had taken cocaine socially 'several days before' he was caught.

The drug had clearly stayed in OByrne’s system.

"He was brought to court in custody after being arrested because he had been unaware of the proceedings today,” said the lawyer, adding that OByrne wanted to apologise to the court.

The no-insurance offence was described as an 'oversight' arising out the car being recently purchased.

Magistrates imposed a £484 fine, with £85 cost and a £34 victim surcharge. The defendant was banned for three years.