Drug driver says 'nothing hits the spot' like Cannabis to deal with car crash pain
A Court has been told a motorist arrested for drug driving smokes cannabis because “nothing hits the spot” like the drug in helping him deal with spinal pain he’s been suffering since a car crash 14 years ago.
Tristan Porter, 31, this week pleaded guilty to one charge of drug driving, after he was stopped on the Newtown bypass and found to be over the limit last October.
Prosecutor Helen Tench told unemployed Porter’s sentencing hearing on Tuesday, February 21, that he was pulled over by police on the A483 driving a VW Golf at around 12.15pm on October 18.
“Speed checks were being conducted by officers and, as the defendant’s vehicle drove past, a smell of cannabis was noted,” said Mrs Tench.
“He was alone and he was stopped; a positive drug wipe was produced and he was arrested. He has cautions but no previous convictions.”
Porter provided a sample of blood, revealing there to be 6.5 micrograms of cannabis in his system – the legal amount is 2 micrograms.
Representing Porter, of Min y Sarn, Sarn, near Newtown, Rob Hanratty, said: “He was the subject of a very serious car accident in 2009; he received serious spinal injuries which he still suffers from.
“I’ve handed in in a letter from his local osteopath. He is permanently disabled as a result. He has been prescribed morphine previously but nothing hits the spot like cannabis.
“He does take it for medicinal purposes for when he has sleepless nights. It was naïve on his part, he thought it would have been eliminated from his body by the next day.
“There was no impaired driving, these cases are about regulating the use of drugs. There are very few cases where there is an impairment. He apologises to the court.”
Magistrates banned Porter from the road for 12 months. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £16 surcharge.
