Drug driving motorcyclist caught by police after L-plates 'snapped off'

A DRUG driving Isle of Wight motorcyclist was pulled over by police while scarcely over the limit for cannabis - and his L-plates had snapped off.

Luke Verlander, of Church Lane, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, May 14.

The 25-year-old admitted drug driving in Ryde, on December 14 of last year.

Prosecutor, Lauren Stone, said Verlander was stopped by police in the afternoon, on Marlborough Road in Newport.

She said he was riding a motorcycle without L-plates and registered a reading of 2.5 for Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannaninol, when the specified limit is 2.

Barry Keel, defending, said Verlander had no previous convictions, was marginally above the drug driving limit and his magnetic L-plates had snapped off.

He said he was riding to get fuel and replacement L-plates when police stopped him.

Mr Keel said Verlander – a contractor – was a recreational cannabis user who does not drink.

Verlander was fined £250 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £100 surcharge.