A woman who was caught speeding on a motorway and was found to be under the influence of cannabis has claimed that a driving ban would impact her social life.
Bryony Barker, 26, was found by police speeding in excess of 70mph on the M62 near Widnes, Cheshire, in May of this year.
Testing more than three times above the drug driving limit, Barker had 6.7 micrograms of THC, the principal active ingredient in cannabis, per litre of blood.
Mr. Kassem Noureddine, prosecuting, told Warrington Magistrates Court prior to the sentencing, that; ‘She was stopped for travelling in excess of the speed limit. As the officer approached the vehicle he noticed the smell of cannabis.
‘A Drugwipe test was conducted at the roadside, which tested positive for cannabis. She was arrested and taken to custody. In terms of antecedents she has none. The defendant is of good character’.
Barker pleaded guilty before the court, receiving a 14-month driving ban and a fine of £563. She was also ordered to pay an additional £315 in costs and victim surcharge.
Speaking before her sentencing, Barker claimed that this road ban would affect her ‘massively’, particularly her ability to socialise with friends and to visit her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Beginning her statement, Barker said; ‘I would just like to say, I know I put the public in danger. But this is going to have a massive affect on work and social life. I know I have done wrong and I would like to apologise’.
The 26-year-old site visitor went on to add that driving is a necessity for her job, and this ban would greatly impact her ability to work.
Chairman Paul Chadwick spoke in response to Barker, stating; ‘We have heard your personal circumstances and we are sorry to hear about your mum. You have said this is going to impact your work and you have shown remorse. You have offered a prompt guilty plea.
‘But you were pulled up on the motorway because of the standard of driving, excess speed and under the influence of drugs. That has inflated the base level of the disqualification.
‘If you are caught driving during that period you will be brought back before the court for disqualified driving and you could face a custodial sentence’.
