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15
May
Woman admits driving under influence of ecstasy on A1(M)
A woman has admitted being under the influence of MDMA while driving on the A1(M) near Boroughbridge.
Emma McCafferty, of Escomb in Bishop Auckland, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (May 14) where she pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges.
McCafferty, 35, who spoke in court to confirm her name, age and address, admitted driving under the influence of benzoylecgonine — a by-product of cocaine breakdown — and MDMA on the A1(M) on December 31, 2025.
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, said police were called to reports of a drug-driver on the A1(M) southbound.
Officers pulled over a Honda Civic, which McCafferty was driving, near junction 48 at Boroughbridge in the early hours of the morning.
The 35-year-old was ordered to take a blood test, which found 62 micrograms of benzoylecgonine and 21 microgams of MDMA in her blood — both of which were over the proscribed limit.
The legal limit for benzoylecgonine is 50 micrograms and the limit for MDMA is 10 micrograms.
Officers arrested McCafferty and charged her with drug-driving.
Ms Whiteley told the court that McCafferty also had traces of amphetamines in her system, but this was under the limit.
The prosecution added that the defendant was also awaiting sentence on a separate charge of careless driving for which she will appear at Peterlee Magistrates Court.
Sean Wilson, defending, told the court that McCafferty had a “complex medical history” and requested that a pre-sentence report be prepared.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be devised and McCafferty will appear before the court at a later date.
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