Police could smell cannabis in the car of a drug-driver who only had a provisional licence, a court heard.

Officers conducted a stop check on a Vauxhall Meriva travelling on Eskdale Crescent in Workington on Saturday, May 7, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Zahir Hussain, 27, identified himself as the driver and admitted he only held a provisional driving licence.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers could smell cannabis in the vehicle so a drugs wipe was carried out which was positive for the substance.

Hussain was searched and a small bag of cannabis was found in his jacket pocket. He admitted this was his.

He was taken to the police station and a blood sample showed he had 3.0mcg of Delta-9- Tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.0mcg.

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Hussain, who was unrepresented said: “I’m just really sorry for what I’ve done. I’ve been caring for my auntie who is really ill.”

The defendant, of Florence Street, Bradford, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit, possessing a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Hussain was banned from driving for 12 months. He was fined £140 and must pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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