A MAN with a history of driving offences has been banned from the road for three years after being caught drug driving twice in the space of four months.

Stephen James Fenner was stopped on two separate occasions in 2020 by police and found to be over the drug drive limit on each occasion. The 30-year-old, of Tregarth, Machynlleth, had originally denied the two charges because he didn’t think the cannabis could still have been in his system – but he admitted both when he appeared before magistrates in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday, January 6.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said officers conducted a routine stop check of Fenner’s Ford Fiesta on an unclassified road near Talybont, Ceredigion, on January 4, 2020.

“Officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis,” said Mr Challinor. “There was a strong smell emanating from him and his eyes appeared glazed. A roadside drug wipe proved positive and a blood reading was 17 micrograms of cannabis in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 2mcg.

“He was stopped again just after 6am on April 27 near Newbridge-on-Wye, driving a Seat Leon. Police followed him due to the speed and manner of his driving. It was the defendant again and once more there was a strong smell of cannabis and his eyes were dilated. This time the reading was 7.7mcg.”

Mr Challinor said Fenner had a number of relevant previous convictions.

Robert Hanratty, defending Fenner, admitted his client “doesn’t have an enviable driving record” but said both offences pre-date his last offences, for which he is currently subject to a community order.

“There are no further offences during this community order,” he said.

“The defendant admits to infrequent use of cannabis. He didn’t think the analysis could possibly be correct. One sample came back in January that had no cannabis present. It had naturally deteriorated over time. £300 was spent on each sample and Mr Fenner was told it would cost more for a report, which is when he was advised to plead guilty to these matters.

“He didn’t think he would be under the influence, but he is unaware that cannabis can linger longer than alcohol, for days, in your system.”

Probation officer Donna Davies said Fenner received a two-year community order in June of last year. “There has been a significant gap in offending prior to recent offences and he has reduced his intake of alcohol and cannabis,” she said.

In addition to a driving ban of 36 months, Fenner was fined £120 for each offence and ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £120. He must also pay a £34 surcharge.