A MOTORIST who drove under the influence of cannabis and cocaine admitted he tried to avoid capture by turning round to avoid a police speed check operation in Shap.

Scott Holder, 30, is moving to Penrith because he knows he will be facing a lengthy driving ban as the result of his offence, Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court was told.

The defendant, formerly of Wandsworth Gardens, Shap, was given a two year ban after he admitted five offences, including possessing cocaine and possessing cannabis - both of which were found in his BMW car on October 23 last year.

The warehouse worker also admitted driving while over the limit for cocaine by more than three times; driving while over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product by 16 times; and driving while marginally over the limit for cannabis.

Prosecutor Julie Hansel outlined how it was while police were doing speed check mid-afternoon on the main street in Shap A6 that they noticed the defendant's BMW, with a large amount of smoke billowing from inside the vehicle. The car immediately turned around and the driver took it up a nearby residential street.

The driver appeared to want to avoid the officers, said Mrs Hansel.

The officers followed the BMW, stopping it near Shap summit on the A6.

"The driver immediately said he was sorry and that he had panicked and tried to avoid the officers," said the prosecutor.

Inside the car, police found some cannabis bush and a small amount of cocaine powder.

"He confirmed he had been smoking some the previous evening," said the lawyer.

Holder said he had been on his way to the shop to buy cigarettes.

John Smith, for Holder, said: "He works as a warehouse operative in Penrith, but lives with his parents in Shap. He will now be moving into a flat in Penrith as it's the only way he can effectively keep his job. He was cooperative with the police.

"There was no bad behaviour whatsoever."

As well as imposing the ban, magistrates imposed a 12 month community order, with 140 hours of unpaid work, along with £85 costs and a victim surcharge of the same amount.