A MOTORIST with a “yellow tongue” pulled over by police in Newtown has been banned from the roads for a year for drug driving.

Garry Keith Marriott, 36, was described as having a “yellow tongue” and “pin pricked pupils” when police pulled him over near his Lôn Pantyllyn home on December 29 last year.

Marriott was driving a blue Vauxhall Vectra at the time and was arrested when a roadside drug wipe proved positive for cannabis.

He admitted one charge of drug driving at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 9.

OTHER NEWS:

Prosecutor Rebecca Kuipers said PC Bufton pulled the defendant over after noticing the defendant’s vehicle.

“He followed the car and conducted a stop check,” said Ms Kuipers.

“The defendant was the sole occupant. The officer noticed he had a yellow tongue and pin pricked pupils; he formed the opinion he was under the influence.

“The defendant said he had smoked cannabis a week ago. A drug wipe was positive. He then admitted he’d smoked the night before.”

She said Marriott had no relevant previous convictions.

The reading of cannabis in Marriott’s system was 2.5 micrograms – the legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Rob Hanratty, representing father-of-two Marriott, said: “The scientific community tests 8 micrograms as the level at which a driver would be impaired, but the limit is 2, to act as a deterrent.

County Times:

“The defendant did smoke a small amount the night before. You could give a reading of 3 or 4 micrograms from passive smoking.

“There was no error in his driving. He’s slightly over and unfortunately there’s no rehabilitation test, as there is with drink driving.

“He hasn’t smoked since and has no intention of doing so again. He is in full-time employment.”

In addition to the ban, magistrates fined Marriott £450 and told him to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs.