Powys dad self-medicating with cannabis caught drug driving

Jack Reading, 36, was driving a Ford Transit van along the A487 in Machynlleth while more than twice the legal limit for the Class B drug when he was stopped by a police officer on May 22 this year.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told Welshpool Magistrates' Court that police were contacted after they received a call that the van driver may be under the influence of cannabis.

Reading pleaded guilty to drug driving when he appeared in court on Tuesday, November 1.

Owain Jones, acting for Reading, said there were no aggravating features about his client's driving.

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"He tells me he was consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes and self-prescribed," Mr Jones told the court.

"He knows that it was wrong. Since the incident he is trying to reduce his cannabis consumption."

Mr Jones added: "He is the sole breadwinner for his family. He tells me he is in a long-term relationship and has two children."

Magistrates disqualified Reading, of Brynygog, Machynlleth from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a £166 fine, court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £34.