Uninsured teenage driver got behind wheel after smoking cannabis

An uninsured teenage driver who got behind the wheel after smoking cannabis has been banned from the roads.

Daniel Oliver also didn't have a licence when he was spotted by police failing to indicate at a junction and travelling "in excess of the speed limit" through Gosforth, a court heard. When officers pulled the 19-year-old over, they decided to perform a roadside drugs test as they could smell cannabis, prosecutors said.

Oliver, of Colwine Place, in Blakelaw, Newcastle, was found to be over the limit for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a breakdown product of the class B drug, and was arrested. He has now been banned from the roads for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to driving over the specified drugs limit, driving without a licence and otherwise than in accordance with a licence during a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

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Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said police spotted Oliver behind the wheel of an Audi A3 on Grandstand Road at around 1.15am on May 24 this year. Mrs Forster continued: "Their attention was drawn to the Audi after it pulled out of a junction without indicating and started to travel in what appeared to be in excess of the speed limit.

"Officers indicated for the vehicle to come to a stop on Grandstand Road and the defendant identified himself. On speaking to him, officers noticed his eyes were glazed and there was a strong smell of cannabis."

The court heard that Oliver, who only held a provisional licence, failed the roadside test and was arrested. Tim Gregory, defending, said Oliver had no past convictions, adding: "He was out with friends.

"He was returning home. He shared a cannabis cigarette earlier that evening and didn't think he was remotely impaired. It has been a life lesson for him to learn."

Oliver was fined £120 and must pay £45 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.