A GARDENER who was offered “a couple of puffs on a reefer” has vowed never to smoke cannabis again after he lost his driving licence.

Joe James Spencer, 28, was stopped by police driving a Vauxhall Movano van on the A490 at Forden on February 24 this year, and arrested when it was discovered he had an illegal amount of cannabis in his blood.

Spencer, of Tregerddan, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, entered a guilty plea to drug driving at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 20.

Prosecutor James Ashton said police were on mobile patrol in the north Powys area and stopped Spencer who was driving a white Vauxhall van.

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“He was stopped; officers noticed his eyes were glazed,” said Mr Ashton.

“He gave a positive test and was arrested. He is of previous good character.”

The reading of cannabis provided by Spencer was 2.5 micrograms – the legal limit is two micrograms.

Rob Hanratty, acting for Spencer, said the reading was at the bottom end of the scale.

“He was only just over,” said Mr Hanratty.

“There was no issue of impairment, it was just that he had an illegal substance in his system. There was no explanation for why he was stopped.

“He was offered a couple of puffs on a reefer [cannabis cigarette] the night before and he didn’t think it would affect him.

“He hasn’t smoked since and will never smoke it again. He is a hard-working man who works as a landscape gardener. He is the father of young children with another one due in a few weeks.”

Magistrates banned Spencer from driving for a year and fined him £266; he must also pay a £106 surcharge and £85 costs.

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