Fishtoft man stopped for using mobile phone while driving also had cocaine on him, Boston Magistrates’ Court hears

A Fishtoft man seen on his mobile phone while driving was also found to be nearly four times over the drug drive limit and with cocaine on him.

Craig Cunningham, 51, of Tower Road, was pulled over while driving on Church Road in Boston on January 5.

He tested positive for having 39 microgrammes of cocaine per litre of blood in his system. The legal limit is 10 micrograms.

He was also found to have 240 microgrammes per litre of blood of benzoylecgonine, a metabolism of cocaine, per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50 microgrammes.

Cocaine was found by police on Cunningham after he was stopped by police who saw him on his phone while driving.

Boston Magistrates’ Court heard last week that Cunningham used drugs recreationally, including the night before the incident, and had three previous convictions for driving over the drink and drug limits.

He was banned for four years, ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and attend up to 15 days with a responsible offer over the same period.

He was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

District judge Daniel Church said: “You say you were on your phone as you were cancelling an incoming call but that can often distract a driver from their task of keeping their eyes on the road.

“The disqualification is more serious because on three previous occasions you’ve been found to be driving having taken drugs or alcohol.

“You should know better. Anyone who has been taking drugs or drinking alcohol should never be behind a steering wheel.”

An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the cocaine found on Cunningham.