Driver caught in Skegness under influence of drugs is banned

Andrew Coupland, 46, of Cottage Beck Road, Scunthorpe, admitted the offences when he appeared via video link before magistrates in Boston.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Coupland was stopped for speeding in his VW Beetle at Orby on July 29 last year when a small pill bottle containing cocaine was found in his car.

He also gave a drugs reading showing 16 micrograms of cocaine and 5 micrograms of cannabis in his bloodstream, the legal limits being 10 and 2 respectively.

Mitigating, Graham Pressler said Coupland was taking a short holiday in a caravan as he had been at a low level because of a breakdown in his relationship.

He said Coupland, who he said was not an addict, had a 'comparatively small amount' of cocaine on him, which had been given to him some time before and which he had forgotten about.

Coupland was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £461 and court costs and charges totalling £131.