A TRAINEE quantity surveyor performed CPR on an injured motorcyclist after a road traffic collision in Powys.

Vincent Yoshi McNeill, 20, was not at fault for the crash, which occurred near Nantmel, Rhayader, last September, but police officers who arrived on the scene discovered he had cannabis in his system.

McNeill, from the Manchester area, admitted one charge of drug driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 10.

James Sprunks, prosecuting, said the accident happened at around 4pm on September 23 on the A44 near Nantmel.

“The defendant was driving a VW Golf when the road traffic collision occurred,” said Mr Sprunks.

“An officer requested his saliva for a drug test, which proved positive, and he was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station.”

Mr Sprunks said McNeill had no previous convictions.

READ MORE:

The amount of cannabis in his blood was 3.1 micrograms – the legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Pat Matthews, representing McNeill, of Whitby Avenue, Whalley Range, Manchester, said: “In all fairness to him he has been trying to find out from the police how the other person is doing.

“The motorbike came round a corner and has driven into him, there is no suggestion there was anything wrong with his driving and he has not been charged.

“He is a trainee quantity surveyor and having no licence is going to impact on him greatly, as he lives with his mum and sister, who he provides for. He has also been travelling from Manchester to South Wales (as part of his training).”

Ms Matthews added: “He had been drinking and had spliff at the weekend with his mates.

“It is not something he does regularly. He was not over the drink drive limit. He has since done a course providing information on how long cannabis stays in the body.

“His car is still impounded, he hasn’t been able to get anything back, no information at all, and he hasn’t driven since this incident.

“He will find it really difficult to do his job and may even lose the job if he loses his licence.

“There were numerous people who assisted him and the other driver; Vincent did CPR on him until the emergency services arrived.

County Times:

“He knows it was foolish to have a spliff, but there is no suggestion there was anything wrong with his driving; witnesses said it was other driver’s fault as he was speeding.

“He’s been very unlucky.”

Magistrates banned McNeill from driving for 14 months. They told him to pay a £650 fine, as well as a £260 surcharge and £85 costs – making a total financial penalty of £995.

McNeill told the bench: “Thanks for your lenience. I have come to appreciate over recent months the impact taking drugs can have on you.”