A LLANDRINOD Wells businessman has been warned a suspended jail sentence is “the next step up the ladder” if he fails to comply with a community order following his latest offence of drug driving.

Daniel Oakley was banned from driving for three years and made the subject of a 12-month community order the last time he appeared in court, in August, after admitting a string of drug driving offences throughout the course of 2022.

He had been caught driving with illegal drugs in his system on three separate occasions this year, between March and June – pleading guilty to 11 charges in total the last time he appeared.

On Wednesday, November 9, the self-employed bricklayer was before Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court again for similar offences – although the bench did acknowledge that his latest offences had been committed during the same period and should have been dealt with on the previous occasion.

He admitted two offences relating to having cocaine compound Benzoylecgonine (BZE) and cannabis in his system on June 22.

Oakley, 33, was stopped by police driving a Vauxhall Vivaro on Wellington Road in Llandrindod. Oakley failed a roadside drug wipe and was arrested – later providing readings of 700 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine in his blood, the legal limit is 50 micrograms; and 9.8 micrograms of cannabis, the legal limit being 2 micrograms.

A third charge of having Methamphetamine in his system was withdrawn.

OTHER NEWS:

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said: “Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver; there was a smell of cannabis coming from the car. A drug wipe was positive and he was arrested.

“The defendant received a substantial sentence on August 16 for similar offences, where he was disqualified from driving for 36 months.”

Acting for Oakley, of Temple Drive, Llandrindod, Jess Smith said it was “concerning” this matter was not dealt with on the last occasion.

“He was before the court in August, where he was dealt with for offences over three dates, from March to June. This should have been dealt with then.

“It doesn’t excuse his actions but at this time he wasn’t disqualified.”

Ms Smith referred to the community order imposed in August and a breach which Oakley had already committed in relation to that – missing an unpaid work appointment.

“His response to the breach is that a letter from his doctor has only recently come through, he’s suffering from a genuine medical issue, he tore ligaments,” she said.

“He has a building business and employs three people. He has works vans across Wales so he does have difficulties (making appointments). I would ask for the community order to remain in place or revoke it and issue a new one.”

Probation officer Donna Davies told the court: “Mr Oakley’s community order included 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

“He is in breach of the order as he failed to attend unpaid work in September. He has completed a total of 11 hours. He is currently suspended from unpaid work due to absences.

“In October he informed us he’d received a leg injury, he was asked to provide medical evidence, which he has not done. He has not yet commenced his rehabilitation days.

“He made an appointment in October, but he changed it, then failed to attend. If he fails to attend Kaleidoscope will withdraw their referral.”

Chair of the bench, Geraint Evans, told Oakley: “We take the view it wouldn’t be proper justice to consider any severe penalties with it being so close to the previous sentence.

“We feel you need to be given an opportunity to change your attitude to that sentencing, otherwise the next step up the ladder is a suspended sentence.”

Oakley was fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs as well as a £50 surcharge. He was further banned from driving, for 36 months, but this will tie in with the previous ban.