A MOTORIST was caught drug-driving after colliding with M6 road work cones while on a trip as part of a “birthday treat”.
Norbert Gruszecki, aged 25, was given a 14-month ban and left out of pocket to the tune of £712 after an incident on the motorway in north Cumbria on 23rd March.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard a police constable was on patrol close to junction 40, at Penrith.
“He had cause to stop the defendant as he drove a red Volvo V40,” said prosecutor Alex Wood. “This was following a report from a member of the public who had witnessed him hitting some cones near road works.
“As part of his interaction with the defendant, the defendant admitted having recently used cannabis.”
A road side drug wipe proved positive. Gruszecki was arrested, taken to Kendal police station and gave an evidential sample. This showed the proportion of a main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis in his bloodstream was above the legal driving limit.
In court Gruszecki — a man with no previous convictions — pleaded guilty to drug-driving.
There was no evidence, said the prosecutor, that he had been driving for commercial purposes: nor of any second drug in his system.
Gruszecki, of Mill Court, Mansfield, confirmed the drug was in his system as he had taken it previously. “I thought I would be all right (to drive),” he told magistrates.
“It was my first time in this area, a birthday treat.”
Magistrates imposed a 14-month driving disqualification. Gruszecki was fined £448 and must also pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £179 mandatory surcharge.
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