A DRUG-DRIVER who lives in a remote west Cumbrian village, told magistrates he would struggle to get his children to school after being banned from driving.

Paul Green, 32 was driving a Nissan Primestar on Main Street, Distington, when he was stopped by police at 11.50am on November 16.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said there was a “strong smell” of cannabis and a search was conducted.

A drugs wipe was positive for cannabis and Green was arrested and taken to the police station, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

A blood sample showed that Green had not less than 2.5mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The limit is 2mcg.

Green, of Pica Cottages, Pica, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, said: “It was from the night before. I was smoking cannabis. I didn’t know I would still be over.

“I’m a single parent. I’m going to struggle to take my kids to school. It’s over an hour’s walk.”

Green was banned from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

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