A HIGHWAYS worker was four and a half times over the cannabis limit when he was stopped by police.

Dylan Grant, 26, was seen driving a Honda Civic in Workington at 12.20am on June 12. He was ‘weaving’ into the side of the road, sometimes crossing the carriageway, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said there was a ‘strong smell of cannabis’ when the defendant was pulled over by police. He admitted smoking cannabis and a sample of saliva was positive for the drug.

Some cannabis was found in the centre console of the vehicle.

A blood sample showed Grant had 9mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit to drive is 2mcg.

Grant, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit and possession of a Class B drug.

Sean Harkin, defending, said there had been an unacceptable standard of driving, but the offence was mitigated by the defendant’s cooperation at the roadside and at the police station.

Mr Harkin said: “The defendant is somewhat reliant upon his driving licence. He works on the highways. He relies on his licence for work.

“He is living in a bunker cabin supplied by his employer.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work and banned Grant from driving for 17 months.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge. An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.