‘Completely out of it’ Louth driver was under influence of ketamine as he ‘couldn’t cope with life’ after tragedy

A man found behind the wheel whilst under the influence of ketamine has been been disqualified from driving and ordered to pay £785.

James Fairchild also had cocaine in his possession when police stopped his Audi A4 at Little Cawthorpe, near Louth, at 3.45pm on November 8 last year.

Prosecutor Nick Kirkland told Boston Magistrates’ Court the defendant’s car was stopped after a previous report of the vehicle ‘being all over the road’.

He added a police officer carrying out the arrest described 35-year-old Fairchild as being ‘completely out of it, staring into space and his movement was slow’.

After being taken into custody in Skegness, the defendant’s vehicle was found to be in possession of cocaine, although the amount was not stated.

A blood sample gave a reading of 96 micrograms of ketamine per litre of blood.

The legal limit is 20mcg.

Magistrates were told Fairchild, of Low Farm Road, Muckton, near Louth, had previously been disqualified from driving for four years following a failed specimen test.

However, this offence took place on November 23, 15 days after the charges he was facing.

He also had ketamine and cocaine possession convictions dating back to February 2023 and April 2024 respectively.

Defending Fairchild, Michele Cheatle said her client had turned to drugs after the death of his best friend and a split from his girlfriend.

“He wasn’t coping,” she told the court.

“He had been doing well but he couldn’t cope with life.”

Ms Cheatle pointed out Fairchild had paid £4,000 for a drug rehabilitation course in a bid to kick the habit and had ‘passed all the tests’.

“He is fully engaging with Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous,” she continued.

“He is doing everything he can to be free from drugs.”

A probation report said Fairchild - who pleaded guilty to the drug driving and possession charges - had been showing ‘good compliance’ with requirements from his previous court appearance and that ‘all seems very positive’.

Magistrates banned Fairchild from driving for three years and fined him £500 when he appeared before them on Wednesday (May 28).

He must also pay a £200 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the cocaine.