A FIFTY-five-year-old who’d never smoked cannabis in his life committed two drug driving offences in the space of two weeks.

William Sean Roche was described as being “easy prey” for fellow residents at a Llandrindod Wells guesthouse after he’d moved into the property following the sudden loss of his home and job. It was only when he moved into the guesthouse after being made homeless that he tried cannabis for the first time, a court was told this week.

The gardener and maintenance man had previously admitted two offences of drug driving at Llandrindod Magistrates’ Court, but his case had been adjourned due to the possibility of putting forward a special reasons argument as to why he was over the legal drug drive limit on January 20 and February 2, this year.

That argument was no longer being pursued and he was disqualified from driving for 20 months on Wednesday, September 1.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said Roche provided readings of 3.7 micrograms and three micrograms of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol – the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis – when he was stopped driving his black Hyundai Santa Fe on January 20 and February 2, respectively. The legal limit for the drug while driving is 2mcgs.

“It was 6.30pm on January 20 when PC Morgan stopped the vehicle on Temple Street, Llandrindod,” said Mr Davies.

“The defendant’s eyes were large and bloodshot; the officer formed the opinion he was under the influence of drugs and he provided a positive test for cannabis.”

Mr Davies said the second incident occurred at 8.45am with Roche driving the same vehicle on the A470 Felin Fach to Brecon road, with a roadside drug swipe again proving positive. He said Roche had a previously unblemished record.

Acting for the defendant, of Arvon House, Temple Street, Llandrindod, Gareth Walters described his client’s plight as a “sad tale”.

“Mr Roche accepts he had been smoking cannabis but he did not believe he had been smoking enough that would lead to the readings given,” said Mr Walters.

“He had been in the presence of another man who’d been smoking cannabis.

“It is a sad tale how he comes before the court today. “He had been employed since 2018 as a gardener and maintenance man at a caravan park, which came to an abrupt end when the owner died.

“The defendant was no longer wanted. He had been staying in a caravan on the site and was then placed in emergency accommodation.”

Mr Walters said Roche had never smoked cannabis before moving to Llandrindod.

“He was staying in a guesthouse and was taken advantage of by other guests there,” he added.

“He tried cannabis for the first time. He was being asked to be driven around by other guests and was eager to please. He no longer uses cannabis as a result of this. He hadn’t used it before staying at the guesthouse and hasn’t used it since leaving.

“He hasn’t set out to deliberately commit these offences. On the first occasion he was allowed to drive home by the officers and on the second occasion he had smoked the night before, not that morning.”

Mr Walters said his client was previously the owner of a holiday lets company, but a divorce led to him moving to work and live at the caravan park. “He has struggled with addiction, he was once an alcoholic,” added Mr Walters.

“He was easy prey to other members of society in Llandrindod.”

As well as the driving ban, magistrates fined Roche £120 for each offence. He must also pay £100 costs and a £34 surcharge.