A professional lorry driver has admitted driving on the Newtown Bypass while almost four times the legal limit for cannabis - but claims he ingested the drug "unwittingly".

Christopher Blackmore, of Aberbeeg, Blaenau Gwent will have his side put across at a 'special' reasons argument for evidence before he is sentenced later this year.

The 52-year-old man pleaded guilty to driving a Ford Focus on the A489 Newtown Bypass on June 30 last year.

A blood test later showed that he had seven micrograms per litre of cannabis metabolite y Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, almost four times the legal limit of two microgrammes.

County Times:

A hearing this week fixed a date for a special reasons argument at Welshpool Magistrates' Court to allow his solicitor to forward reasons as to why he should not be disqualified from driving.

Robert Hanratty, acting for Blackmore, said: "This will be a special reasons argument for evidence. He’s ingested cannabis - THC – unwittingly. He’s not a drug user, he’s a professional lorry driver."

Magistrates chair Dr Rachel Jones adjourned the case until May 22.

"It is a hearing when your side can be put across," she told Blackmore.