Welshpool driver banned after cannabis driving offence

Dale McEvoy, 27, was stopped by police after being seen driving a silver BMW along Berriew Street in Welshpool before being pulled over in the Oldford Rise estate on December 16 last year.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court was told that officers could smell cannabis coming from inside the vehicle. A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for the Class B drug.

Oldford Rise, Welshpool (Image: Google)

A subsequent blood test carried out at the police station revealed McEvoy had 8.4 micrograms of cannabis in his system - more than four times the legal limit of two micrograms.

The court heard that the Montgomery man has previous convictions, largely drug-related, but this was his first driving offence involving drugs.

Mitigating, solicitor Owain Jones said McEvoy now understood the risk he posed to other road users and was remorseful for his actions.

The court was told McEvoy had taken cannabis the night before to help him sleep and was dealing with a number of personal stresses, including concerns around his home, work and ill family members, leading him to use the drug.

Mr Jones said McEvoy had been the designated driver for his groundworks business, adding: “That business has effectively ended as a result of this conviction.”

He also said his client helped transport an unwell family member to appointments, arguing that a driving ban would have an impact not only on McEvoy but on others as well.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification and ordered McEvoy, of Kerry Street, Montgomery, to pay £253, including a £120 fine.

Passing sentence, bench chair Stephen Pembroke said: “It appears from your previous convictions that you clearly need some help, so it’s recommended that you self-refer for support with drugs.

“You are a risk to people on the road when you do this, and it’s not going to get better unless you get help.”