Bemused motorists found ‘vacant’ drug-driver with white powder under his nose stationary in middle of road near Louth

Motorists were bemused when they came across a car stationary in the middle of the road for no apparent reason.

It turned out the man in the driver’s seat of the Audi A4 was over the legal limit for the anaesthetic drug ketamine.

James Fairchild still had white powder under his nose when police arrived at Main Road in Burwell, near Louth, at about 5pm on January 2 this year.

One driver had pulled up behind Fairchild’s car and couldn’t figure out what was happening.

When another stopped in the opposite direction because of the blockage, the first driver went to speak to Fairchild (35).

“He appeared not to respond and stared straight ahead,” prosecutor Jade Salter told Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 25.

Police were called and noted Fairchild’s ‘vacant look’ and white powder close to his right nostril.

The defendant admitted having recently taken some ketamine and was initially arrested for being unfit to drive.

An evidential test showed he had 96 micrograms of the drug per litre of blood in his system. The specified limit is 20.

Fairchild, of Low Road Farm, Muckton, Louth, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle on January 2 when over the drug limit.

Solicitor Tony Freitas, mitigating, said in February his client had been given a four-year driving ban and an 18-month community order which included a drug treatment order and unpaid work.

He added: “That period of time was very difficult for him. A long-term relationship ended and his best friend committed suicide.

“He’d previously had problems with ketamine abuse and very honestly admits this tipped him back into abuse.”

Mr Freitas said Fairchild had since turned things around by completing a ten-day rehab stint, being clean of drugs for several months and giving clear tests to probation officers.

The defendant was given a 12-month ban, to run concurrently with his four-year disqualification, fined £200 and ordered to pay £165 in costs and victim surcharge.