A WAREHOUSE worker who was pulled over by police with two different drugs in his system has been banned from driving for two years.

Philip Jones, 24, was stopped by police in Newtown on the morning of January 31 this year with cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream. He admitted two charges of drug driving at Welshpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 27.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the reading for cannabis was 3.8 micrograms – the legal limit is 2mcgs. She added that the level of cocaine in the defendant’s blood was 161 micrograms – the legal limit being 50mcgs.

The defendant, of Severnside Cottages, Llanllwchaiarn Road, Newtown, was stopped by police driving a Vauxhall Astra on Llanidloes Road at 9.15am.

“PC Taylor stopped the vehicle. The officer was suspicious of the driver being under the influence,” said Ms Tench.

“He was under the legal drink drive limit but a roadside drug swipe was positive. In a blood sample the legal limit of BZE (benzoylecgonine, which is the cocaine compound tested for) is 50 micrograms, while for cannabis the legal limit is 2 micrograms.

“The presence of more than one drug in the defendant’s system increases the seriousness of this offence.”

Owain Jones said his client, who works in Newtown at a warehouse and plays for a local football team, was aware of the seriousness of the offence.

“What should be on the court’s mind is guidance, not their guidelines,” he said.

“There was no evidence of bad driving when he was arrested. There was a presence of two drugs, we concede that increases seriousness, but there are no related offences on his record. There is a previous matter of being in charge of a vehicle.”

Probation officer Andy Pearson conducted a pre-sentence report and told the court: “Mr Jones doesn’t use drugs anymore. He drinks most nights but is not dependent.

“He has previous mental health issues. On the day in question he was on his way to his mother’s, he had been out the night before with some mates. He didn’t realise he was over the limit.”

Magistrates made Jones the subject of a 12-month community order, which will require him to complete 50 hours unpaid work. In addition he must pay a £95 surcharge and £85 costs, in addition to the 24-month driving ban.