Rhos man fined and banned for drug-driving

Nicholas Davies, of Heol Eifion, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 51-year-old admitted that on March 10 at Ruabon Road in Penycae, he drove an Audi motor vehicle when the proportion of cannabis in his blood exceeded the specified limit.

He was found to have 16.2 microgrammes of the substance in his blood, the limit being 2.

Rebecca Ross, prosecuting, told the court that police were initially alerted to Davies' vehicle due to its licence plates appearing defective.

When he was pulled over, he had slurred speech and agreed to a drugs swipe.

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Cannabis (Image: Newsquest)

It was positive, leading to him being arrested and taken to Llay police station where he gave the blood readings he was ultimately charged with.

Ms Ross said the defendant had been convicted of drug driving in 2017, for which he received a 12 month ban.

Emma Simoes, defending, said: "Mr Davies indicates he had a tumour in his lung which had to be removed.

"Because of his medical problem, he stopped smoking and has been using vape pens to wean him off.

"Regrettably he bought a vape pen and he was unaware it had THC in it.

"There is some very small writing that does say THC is present, but there was a sticker over it.

"He didn't taste it and he wasn't aware it was in his system."

Geoff Bull, Chair of the Magistrates, disqualified the defendant from driving for three years.

He handed down a £120 fine and ordered him to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

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