A dad was caught drug driving with his young child in the car after police spotted a car door was open while the vehicle was moving.

Dominic Layton-Morris, 33, went to park at Burger King in Newtown to close the car door when a police officer approached him and noticed he had “jaundiced skin and large pupils”.

A test found that the Newtown man had 469 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine in his blood which is more than nine times over the legal drug limit.

Layton-Morris was given a driving ban after pleading guilty to drug driving when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Owain Jones, representing Layton-Morris, told the court that the former Presteigne man believed he was fit and well to drive after taking drugs the previous day.

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“When it was shown he was over the limit, he was disgusted with himself especially as he cares for his daughter. He was mortified that it jeopardised a risk to her."

Mr Jones added: “As a sign that he is remorseful he hasn’t driven since May and he knows this is a valuable lesson.”

Stephen Pembroke, chair of the magistrates’ bench, said: “We have noted that you had a further charge like this only three years ago which is very disappointing.

“You need to make a big decision here where you either take drugs or drive.

“We have been concerned with having your daughter in the car which I think you appreciate that now. However, you have voluntarily not driven since May.”

Layton-Morris, of Gelli, Treowen, Newtown was disqualified from driving for 36 months and ordered to pay a £350 fine, £35 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.