A DRUG-DRIVER stormed out of a courtroom after being handed a three-year driving ban, telling magistrates the sentence was 'harsh'.

Sean Boal, 37, had been pulled over by police on the Solway Industrial Estate in Maryport on October 28 last year, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said police suspected he may be over the limit for drugs and a drug sample procedure was carried out at the police station.

A blood sample showed the defendant had 13mcg of cocaine per litre of blood. The specified limit is 10mcg.

David Martin, defending, said: “He feels particularly bad about letting himself down again. He had been going through a stressful time at home and had taken this substance three days before. He had just been for breakfast.

“The consequences to him have been pretty devastating. He is going to lose his licence and has lost his job as a roofer.

“He certainly regrets what happened on that day.”

Boal, of Mulgrew Close, Maryport, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a specified drug over the specified limit.

After magistrates imposed a three-year driving ban, Boal said, “I think that’s pretty harsh, like.” He then stormed out of the dock.

Patricia Gauntlett, chair of the magistrates panel, told the defendant: “You were the one who took the drugs.”

Boal was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.