A CANNABIS smoker who has recently become a father has welcomed a drug driving ban, saying he wants to be a “positive example” for his newborn son.

Callum Pastfield, 30, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of drug driving.

Pastfield was stopped by police driving a Renault Clio in Montgomery on September 2 last year – he was found to have more than twice the legal amount of cannabis in his system.

The defendant, who has a previous drugs possession offence on his record, told magistrates he had cut down on his cannabis use since that previous offence, in 2020, and does not want to put himself or his family in this position again.

Pastfield, of Wayside, Chirbury, was stopped by police travelling along the B4386 due to his speed. A roadside drug test was failed and he was arrested – he had 4.4 micrograms of the Class B drug in his system; the legal limit is 2mcgs.

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“PC Wilkinson saw a Renault Clio and stopped it due to its speed,” prosecutor Helen Tench told magistrates on Tuesday, January 31.

“The defendant was the driver. He had a pale complexion and glazed eyes, and confirmed he was a cannabis user when asked. After a positive test he was arrested. He has a previous conviction, which is drug related, from September 2020.”

Representing himself, Pastfield told the court: “I would say on the last occasion I did have a problem with drugs.

“I have become a father since the last occasion. I don’t smoke it as often anymore and I know if I do, things like this can happen.

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“I have been going without for a long time. Things like this will change my life because I don’t want to be coming here, I want to be a positive example for my son, who has just turned 1.”

Pastfield, who is employed at a warehouse and said he would not lose his job, added: “I am sorry for what I’ve done, I don’t want to put myself in this situation again."

Pastfield was banned from driving for 12 months. He must also pay a £415 fine, £85 costs and a £166 surcharge.

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