A MAN who took cannabis to alleviate pain following an accident found himself in the dock for drug-driving.

James Reid, of Chester Road West in Shotton, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 39-year-old admitted that on December 13, he drove a Vauxhall motor vehicle on the A483 at Rossett when the proportion of cannabis in his blood exceeded the specified limit.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 8pm on the day of the offence, police stopped the defendant's vehicle due to a defective light.

A roadside test returned a positive result for cannabis, following which he was arrested and required to give an evidential sample.

That showed he had no less than 5.8 microgrammes of the substance per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.

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Euros Jones, defending, said: "Sadly today he loses his good character.

"He is a HGV driver and unfortunately for him, this will mean his employment ends.

"Three years ago, he was in a serious road accident and has had a number of hospital appointments."

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Mr Jones said his client has been using medication for pain management but he tried cannabis on the recommendation of a friend for the same reason.

"It did alleviate some pain," Mr Jones said, "But unfortunately for him we are where we are today."

The court banned Reid from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay an £80 fine.

He must also pay a £32 victim surcharge and £85 costs.