A Killinghall man has admitted being four-times over the drug-drive limit.

Dale Lawson, 36, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court today (December 23) when he pleaded guilty to one offence of drug-driving.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court police received information about Lawson driving under the influence of drugs at around 9pm on October 11.

Lawson was driving a Ford Focus at the time, which was seen travelling on the A61 towards Ripon.

After noticing the police, Lawson tried to make a U-turn, but officers managed to stop him.

Police could smell cannabis on Lawson, the court heard, and a roadside drug swipe was positive for both cannabis and cocaine.

A blood sample later recorded 200 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a by-product of cocaine breakdown – per litre of Lawson’s blood. That is four-times the legal limit of 50 micrograms.

Lawson, of Manor Road in Killinghall, has 12 offences on his record.

‘He would not have driven if he had known’

Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Lawson was remorseful about his actions and would not have driven if he had known he was over the limit.

He said the defendant had taken cocaine the night before the incident and went to bed around midnight that morning.

Mr Nuttney added:

Some hours later, Lawson left the garage and had planned to go to Leeds.

Mr Nuttney said he decided to stop at a friend’s house first, which is when he was stopped by police.

Before passing sentence, the chair of the magistrates’ bench said: “If you did not know, drugs tend to stay in the system for a long time”.

Lawson was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a total of £407 to the court.