A BINMAN has received a driving ban after he made a ‘stupid mistake’ to smoke cannabis following the breakdown of a long-term relationship, a court heard.
Evan Szajduk came to the attention of police after checks on their database revealed a driver of a BMW 118D was driving without any insurance.
Prosecutor Lee Dacre told South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court the 30-year-old was stopped on Rakesmoor Lane in Barrow at 1:10am on February 28.
It comes after police had followed the defendant on Park Road and Abbey Road towards Dalton.
“There was another person in the vehicle and a smell of cannabis,” Mr Dacre said.
“The defendant was searched and found to have a small quantity of cannabis.
“The defendant was arrested after returning a positive roadside DrugWipe test for cannabis."
He was taken into custody and provided a lowest reading of 4.9 ug/L of cannabis.
The limit set for prosecution in the UK is 2.0 ug/L.
Mr Dacre added Szajduk was found to be driving with only a provisional licence.
Szajduk, of High Duddon Close, Askam, pleaded guilty to drug driving, possession of cannabis, driving without third party insurance and driving without a valid licence.
He was represented in court by duty solicitor Karen Templeton.
“This is the first time he has been before the court,” she said.
“He made a stupid mistake on this day and regrets what has happened. He had bought a new car which had been delivered to his friend’s in Ormsgill. He made a mistake to drive it home.
“He had not taken cannabis for years but used it after the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
“He has now not taken cannabis in four months and has no intention of touching it again.
“This has been weighing heavily on his mind. He lives with parents and works on the bins. He will be able to keep his job.”
Magistrates fined Szajduk £550 and disqualified him from driving for 15 months.
They also ordered the defendant to pay a £220 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
Forfeiture and destruction of the drugs was sought.
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