Van driver had 2.2 micrograms of cannabis compound THC in his blood, against a legal limit of two

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from driving after being found marginally over the legal drug-drive limit.

Martin John Hughes, 34, was stopped by police shortly before 10am on January 23 as he drove his Peugeot van along the A477 at Johnston.

A roadside saliva test returned a positive result, and Hughes was taken to a police station for further testing.

A blood sample showed he had 2.2 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, per litre of blood. The legal limit is two micrograms.

Hughes, of Croft Avenue, Hakin, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120.

Hughes was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.

Court told 27-year-old may lose her job after being caught almost twice the legal limit

A HOUSING officer has been banned from driving after she was caught behind the wheel in Pembrokeshire while over the legal alcohol limit.

Police received a report on the evening of July 4 concerning a Vauxhall Astra being driven along Orange Way, Pembroke, by 27-year-old Demi Carey.

Carey subsequently provided a breath test reading of 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Carey, of Clydach, Tonypandy, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Defending, solicitor Jess Hill said Carey had been visiting Pembrokeshire on holiday and had driven out for dinner.

“She knows it was a huge mistake and is very sorry for her actions,” she told the court.

Ms Hill said Carey worked full-time as a housing officer but was currently on sick leave following the recent deaths of her parents.

“She is now going to lose her job as a consequence of today,” she added.

Magistrates disqualified Carey from driving for 12 months and fined her £461.

She was also ordered to pay a £184 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £730.

Addressing the bench after she was sentenced, Carey said: “I’d like to apologise for my actions that day.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about things, and everything is going to be a lot worse from now on.”

Court told 58-year-old turned to the drug following a life-changing motorcycle accident

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who said he used cannabis to manage chronic pain has been banned from driving for 12 months after testing above the legal drug-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Simon Mills, 58, was stopped by police while driving his Range Rover along Queen Street, Pembroke Dock, at around 3pm on April 10.

After providing a positive roadside saliva test, Mills was taken to a police station, where a blood sample was obtained.

Tests showed he had 3.1 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, per litre of blood. The legal limit is two micrograms.

Mills, of Old School Court, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates this week.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Mills had begun using cannabis to manage pain caused by a serious motorcycle accident several years ago.

“He was put on extremely strong medication, but this resulted in a very difficult period for him,” Mr Lloyd told the court.

“He lost his construction business, he ended up homeless, and cannabis has helped him tremendously with his pain relief.

“Compared with the medication he was taking, the use of cannabis has been life-changing for him.”

Mr Lloyd said Mills would not have attempted to drive that day had he believed the cannabis had impaired his ability to do so.

Magistrates disqualified Mills from driving for 12 months and fined him £120.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.