A YOUNG Powys man carrying more than 100 grams of cannabis crashed into a bridge after falling asleep at the wheel.

Police found cannabis, cannabis resin and weighing scales in a car belonging to Callum Evans, from Llandrindod Wells, following a road traffic collision in Glasbury on March 5, 2022. Evans, 21 at the time, was in possession of 104 grams of the Class C drug, but had not been under the influence at the time of the crash.

At Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 25, the now 22-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing drugs.

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Prosecutor Helen Sidhu said police received a 999 call regarding the accident at 4.30am.

“It was a single vehicle RTC, in which the vehicle had collided with a section of bridge, causing substantial damage,” she said.

“Officers arrived, the defendant was the driver. He had a male passenger. The defendant appeared nervous and fidgety, and kept asking for his property in the vehicle.

“Officers opened the car and could smell cannabis. A search was conducted and located on the rear seat area was a black backpack, containing a green recycling bag. Cannabis, cannabis resin and weighing scales were contained within it.”

She said Evans sought medical treatment then was invited to a voluntary interview at a later date, at which he provided a no comment interview. She added that he was of previous good character.

Acting for Evans, of Ridgebourne Close, Llandrindod, Owain Jones said: “You will be concerned regarding the collision.

“He simply fell asleep at the wheel, that was the cause of the accident. He has no previous convictions.

“A drug swipe came back from the scene and was negative. He cooperated with police and he went no comment on advice of a solicitor.

“When this happened, he was immature, he had struggled with mental health and suffered chronic depression, anxiety and with Aspergers. He was self-medicating and buying cannabis in large bulk.

“He has since turned his life around. He realised the detrimental effect cannabis was having on his health, he realised he needed to get off it.

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“He has also set up his own business, he is a self-employed mechanic. He is genuinely sorry for this.”

The court also heard that Evans had taken action independently to stop taking drugs.

Evans was praised by chair of the bench, Lorna Jones, who told him: “Well done; this is a huge achievement because self-medicating is never a good idea. Keep going on the road you’re on”.

Evans was fined £166 and told to pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge. Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and equipment.