Ban for driver who was over drug limit

A drugged-up driver found with more than eight times the limit of cocaine in his system claimed he had no idea how it got there, a court heard.
Burnley Magistrates CourtBurnley Magistrates Court
Burnley Magistrates Court

Imraz Shabir (26) had also taken over twice the specified amount of cannabis before he got behind the wheel.

He said it was from a party two weeks before, prompting District Judge Duncan Birrell to say: “You must have consumed a vast amount of cannabis.”

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Burnley magistrates were told Shabir had been spoken to by police in Nelson, after he was seen accelerating to over 100mph in a 50mph part of the M65.

He smelled of cannabis, his eyes were red, he was nervous and was simultaneously sweating and shivering.

The defendant, of Leeds Road, Nelson, admitted driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit, on Reedyford Road, on February 13th.

Shabir, who is unemployed and kept by his large family, was fined £240 and must pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 18 months.

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Mrs Tracy Yates (prosecuting) said police followed a Honda, which appeared to be speeding, on to the M65 at junction 13. There was a reduced speed limit of 50mph, but the vehicle accelerated to over 100mph.

Police continued to follow the Honda, which then stopped in a lay-by and officers spoke to the defendant.

Tests showed he had 4.2 micrograms of cannabis in his blood, when the specified limit is two.

He also had a derivative of cocaine at a reading of 402 micrograms, against the limit of 50.

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The defendant had a previous conviction for possessing cannabis.

Shabir, who was not represented by a solicitor, told the hearing he had not been speeding through the 50mph zone, but “started speeding a bit,” after that.

The defendant claimed he had been to a friend’s party and added: “I had a roll-up. They gave it me. Even if you have a couple of drags, it stays in your system.”

Shabir claimed he didn’t use cocaine and told the judge: “I don’t even know how cocaine got into my system.”

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The defendant told the court he had no job, but didn’t claim benefits.

Asked by District Judge Birell what he lived on, the defendant replied: “I have got a large family. My family support me.”

Sentencing him, the district judge told Shabir: “You are not driving fully in possession of your senses when you are driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine.”

The defendant said: “It’s never going to happen again.”