A 53-year-old Powys woman who made her first-ever appearance in court this week, hopes it will be last.

Janice Hurst, from Newtown, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 19, where she admitted one charge of drug driving.

Hurst, of Falcon Court, was stopped by police on May 1 this year because officers noticed she had a broken brake light. She admitted she had recently smoked cannabis and a subsequent roadside drug test was positive and she was arrested.

Hurst, who was driving a silver Peugeot 207 on Plantation Lane, provided a reading of 6 micrograms of the Class B drug, the legal limit is just 2 micrograms.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said PC Bufton stopped the defendant. “She admitted being a cannabis user and had recently smoked some,” said Mrs Tench.

She said Hurst had no prior record.

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Rob Hanratty, defending Hurst, said: “This is her first and only appearance in court, she hopes it will be her last.

“She is a lady who has suffered significantly, including a catastrophic accident some years ago, during which she suffered a dislocated shoulder.

“She now has an artificial shoulder and is encountering difficulties with her other shoulder and she also suffers from arthritis and PTSD.

“Sometimes, she self-medicates with cannabis. The cannabis use is for medicinal purposes, it’s the one thing that gives her pain relief. There was no evidence of impairment.”

Magistrates banned Hurst from driving for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £85 costs.