A MOTORIST pulled over by police for driving with drugs in his system twice in the space of 12 days has been banned for a year and a half.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, January 12, that 22 year old Samuel Joseph Hilditch uses cannabis to alleviate chronic pain caused by two conditions – one of which is spina bifida.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the two separate incidents occurred near Llandrinio and Four Crosses on August 8 and 20 last year respectively.

On the first occasion there were found to be 4.5 microgrammes of cannabis in 100 millilitres of the

defendant’s blood, with 3.2mcgs in 100 millilitres of blood on the second occasion.

Paul Inns, acting for the defendant, of Maes Hafren, Crew Green, said his client arrived at court “armed” with a number of medical papers regarding his conditions.

“He has been diagnosed with spina bifida and another condition which cause him great pain and sleep problems,” said Mr Inns.

“He self-medicates with cannabis. He has had three operations so far but it has got to a stage where they can do no more for him and it’s a lifelong condition he’s got to live with.

“On the first occasion he had woken up after smoking a joint and driven. The second time, he had been in lots of pain earlier in the day so smoked some cannabis.”

Mr Inns described Hilditch as a grounds worker who lives at home with his parents.

He handed in two references, with one former employer describing Hilditch as “honest and hardworking”.

Magistrates banned Hilditch from driving for 18 months. He was also fined £250 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.