A MAN has vowed to never smoke cannabis again after he was involved in a road traffic collision and police discovered he had an illegal amount of the drug in his system.
Curtis Broxton was driving a Vauxhall Movano on the A489 near Caersws on October 28 last year when he was involved in the crash.
Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard this week how the 24-year-old provided a positive test for cannabis at the roadside when police arrived, and he was arrested.
On Tuesday, February 21, he pleaded guilty to drug driving.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said the collision occurred Just after 10.30am. “There was a road traffic collision near Maesmawr,” she said.
“The vehicle driven by the defendant was involved. Officers arrived and noted he had pale skin and a roadside drug test was requested and proved positive, so he was arrested. He admitted being the driver.”
She said Broxton had no previous convictions.
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The level of cannabis in his system proved to be 4.2 micrograms – the legal limit is 2 micrograms.
Rob Hanratty, acting for the defendant, of Dinas Road, Penparcau, near Aberystwyth, pointed out that in no way was his client at fault for the actual accident.
“There is no blame on the defendant for the accident,” he said.
“He takes issue with his demeanour, he was a bit pale because he’d just been in an accident.
“He had smoked cannabis the night before.
“He had received some cannabis from a friend to help him sleep, it had been a very stressful time for him.
“He hasn’t smoked cannabis since and won’t ever smoke it again. He has recently found a new job.”
Magistrates banned Broxton from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a £166 fine, £85 costs and a £66 surcharge.
- An earlier version of this story indicated that the defendant had vowed to "kick a habit". This was inaccurate as it has never been suggested Mr Broxton had a cannabis habit. We are happy to correct this and apologise for the error.
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