A Knaresborough man admitted a string of offences at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (June 19).

Liam Edmonson, of Pasture Crescent, pleaded guilty to possessing a class A drug, drug-driving, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police officers were given information about a car that was being driven by Edmonson on New Year’s Eve last year.

The car was seen turning onto Bower Street in Harrogate, so the police followed it and stopped the defendant.

Edmonson, 27, was asked to provide a roadside drug test, which gave a positive indication for cocaine.

A blood sample taken at the police station later recorded 31 micrograms of methylenedioxymethamphetamine – commonly known as MDMA – per litre of Edmonson’s blood.

The limit is just 10 micrograms.

The court heard cocaine and another substance were also found in the defendant’s system, but they did not exceed the legal limit.

Edmonson was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence.

Ms Ibbotson said he had applied for a new licence, but he was required to take an extended driving test as part of the conviction, which he had not done.

On March 6 this year, Edmonson was stopped as a passenger in a car on Starbeck High Street.

Police searched the car and found a clear bag containing 17 smaller bags of drugs in the footwell of a rear passenger seat.

The bags contained 8.34 grams of cocaine, which was valued at £850, the court heard.

Edmonson, who has a number of previous convictions, admitted the offence to police when he was interviewed.

Andrew Tinning, defending, requested the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared due to the defendant’s “history”.

He told the magistrates he had little else to add at the time for that reason.

The case was adjourned and a report will be prepared ahead of Edmonson’s sentencing hearing, which will take place on August 14 at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

An interim driving disqualification was also imposed.