A CANNABIS smoking carer is set to lose his job after he admitted drug driving, while he has also lost his driving licence for three years because it is the second time he has been caught.
Timothy David Jones was handed a mandatory three-year road ban by magistrates in Welshpool last week due to the fact he has been punished for drug driving twice within a 10-year period.
Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, March 21, that the 26-year-old was previously banned in 2019.
The two offences are the only times the Kerry man has come to the attention of the police, the court was told.
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Jones was stopped by police driving a Vauxhall Astra on the B4385 between Castle Caereinion and Berriew on November 12 last year.
A roadside drug wipe was positive and, following his arrest, a detailed blood test revealed a reading of 4.4 micrograms of cannabis in his system – the legal limit is 2 micrograms.
Jones admitted drug driving. Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “PC Wright saw the defendant drive past and stopped him.
“Once the door was open he smelt cannabis. The defendant said he had not taken any that day although he admitted he was a cannabis user and there could have been some in the vehicle.
“He has a previous conviction for a like offence in 2019.”
Acting for Jones, of Beech Grove, Kerry, Rob Hanratty said: “It’s an unfortunate case as Tim has a previous conviction from 2019, that’s the only other time he’s come to the attention of the police.
“He is a young man who keeps himself to himself. He will lose his job today as he needs his licence for his job as a carer; he is always on the road and his licence is an essential part of his job.
“He has received a message from his employer to tell him they won’t be able to keep him on. It seems unfair that there’s not a course for drug drivers to attend when then there’s no impairment in their driving.”
In addition to the three-year ban, magistrates fined Jones £280 and ordered him to pay a £112 surcharge and £85 costs.
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