A drug-driver told a court that he would lose his job as a ground worker - before being banned from the roads for more than a year.  

Nathan Shepherd, 28, was pulled over by police while driving an Audi A4 on Cranbourne Street in Workington on August 27, Workington Magistrates Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said a roadside drugs wipe carried out on the defendant gave a positive indication for cocaine.

He was arrested and taken to the police station, where a sample of blood was taken. This showed Shepherd had not less than 800mcg of Benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Shepherd, of Shore Road, Salterbeck, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a proportion of a specified drug over the specified limit.

The defendant, who was unrepresented in court, said: “I’m just sorry. It’s the first and last time I will be here.”

He told magistrates that he would lose his job as a ground worker because he needed to have his own car for work.

Magistrates imposed a 15-month driving ban and fined Shepherd £253.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £101 victim surcharge.

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