‘Exemplary’ motor vehicle technician loses job after driving.with cannabis in system in Skegness

An ‘exemplary’ motor vehicle technician has lost his job after being caught drug-driving.

Daniel Howe was three times the legal limit for cannabis when police stopped his car in Skegness last summer.

Boston magistrates were told a letter from the 31-year-old’s employers explained that his job would be terminated as he needed a driving licence to carry out his duties.

Prosecutor Tosin Abioye told the court Howe’s vehicle was stopped on Grand Parade at 12.13pm on on August 28.

“Police stopped a Volkswagen Passat after a report of someone driving under the influence of drugs,” she continued.

“Police carried out a roadside drug test which showed positive for cannabis.”

Howe gave a reading of 7.7 micrograms of cannabis per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mcg.

In defence, Phillipa Chatterton said Howe - who smoked cannabis to help numb the pain of arthritis in his knees - was ‘now aware of the zero tolerance approach to drug driving’.

“He’s stopped smoking it completely now and realises how long it stays in the system,” she continued.

Miss Chatterton also read out extracts from the letter which described Howe as carrying out ‘exemplary employment for 14 years, adding the defendant is ‘hoping his job will be open to him when he gets his licence back’.

Howe, of Oxford Close, Brimington, Chesterfield, pleaded guilty to drug driving when he appeared in court on Monday (February 3).

He was handed a 12-month driving ban, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.