A LANDSCAPE gardener who was self-medicating with cannabis following recent surgery has been banned from the roads, after he was found to be more than five times the legal drug drive limit.
Louie Bonada-Chant, 27, was seen by police officers driving at speed through Builth Wells on May 16 this year, before later driving erratically and crossing white lines.
He was pulled over on the B4358 near Newbridge-on-Wye and arrested after failing a roadside test; later he was found to have 13.2 micrograms of cannabis in his blood – the legal limit is just 2 micrograms.
Bonada-Chant entered a guilty plea to drug driving when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 8.
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Prosecutor James Sprunks said PC Lloyd was on mobile patrol at the time and the officer’s attention was drawn to the defendant’s Renault Clio, which was “driving at speed” through Builth Wells.
“The car was stopped near Newbridge. The officer formed the opinion that the driver was under the influence,” said Mr Sprunks.
“The driving was erratic and he was seen to cross the central white line. His eyes were glazed and red.
“PC Jones was also present. The defendant failed a drug wipe and was arrested.”
Acting for Bonada-Chant, of Glyn Cottages, Van, near Llanidloes, Geraint Parry said his client had no previous convictions.
“He was travelling from Carmarthen and was unfamiliar with the road,” said Mr Parry.
“He is a self-employed gardener so needs his vehicle to go between jobs. But he understands he will lose his licence.
“He’s of limited means and is in debt, so I would ask for any fines or ban to be the bare minimum.
“He has been using cannabis for a number of years. He had recent surgery and the cannabis has helped him. But if he needs it he knows he should now try and get it medically.”
Probation officer Donna Davies interviewed the defendant and said the self-employed landscape gardener has been “self-medicating with cannabis following recent arm and shoulder surgeries, to remove cysts”.
“You were well over the drug drive limit,” Steffan Hayes, chair of the bench, told Bonada-Chant.
He was made the subject of a 12-month community order, which will include 50 hours of unpaid work.
He was banned from driving for 17 months and also told to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
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