A GARAGE owner caught driving while under the influence of cocaine has had his licence revoked for a year.

Father-of-two Michael Hutton admitted two offences of drug driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week.

Hutton, 29, was stopped when driving his Audi RS3 on Spa Road in Llandrindod on December 2 last year. A drug swipe at the roadside proved positive and he was arrested. Further tests revealed there to be 322 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a compound of cocaine – in his blood, the legal limit being 50 micrograms. There was also 15 micrograms of the Class A drug in his system, the legal limit being 10mcgs.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said at the Wednesday, June 22, hearing: “Officers were on mobile patrol in Llandrindod Wells when they saw a white Audi driving along Spa Road, the vehicle appeared to be acting suspiciously.

“They followed it and stopped the driver. They asked him to provide a drug swipe, it was positive and he was arrested.”

Mr Davies said Hutton, of Wellington Road, Llandrindod, had no previous matters recorded against him.

Representing himself, Hutton said: “The facts are correct, I know I’ve done wrong.

“I own my own garage which repairs cars. I’ve been running it for 5 years. It has been running at a loss since Covid.

“Since that night I have not done any drugs and don’t intend to.”

Hutton asked magistrates if there was any alternative punishment he could receive other than a driving ban – but there is a zero tolerance policy in force in relation to drink and drug driving.

In addition to the 12-month ban, he was ordered to pay a £250 fine, £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.