Dudley carer banned for drug driving by Powys magistrates

Kirsty Parkes, 23, appeared “nervous and under the influence” when police stopped her Seat Ibiza on the A483 on May 15 this year.

Magistrates said they were “shocked” that a carer who is employed to look after people would drive with cannabis in her system.

Parkes pleaded guilty when she appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (September 27). She had 4.6 micrograms of cannabis in her blood – the legal limit is two micrograms.

Justin Espie, prosecutor, said police spotted Parkes’ Seat Ibiza travelling towards Welshpool at around 10am and there were a “number of passengers appearing not to be wearing seat belts”. Officers stopped the car, smelt cannabis and Parkes looked “nervous and appeared under the influence”.

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The 23-year-old had no previous convictions, the court was told.

Parkes, who was unrepresented in court, said she was a community carer “going from house to house my clients rely on me to give them care for them”.

Dr Rachel Jones, chair of the magistrates' bench, said: "My colleagues and I were shocked that someone who cares for other people would drive with cannabis in her system."

Magistrates disqualified Parkes, of Pensnett, Dudley, from driving for 12 months and ordered her to pay a £100 fine, £85 court costs and £34 victim surcharge giving a total bill of £219.