Spalding man banned after admitting drug driving

It was a miserable Christmas 2024 for a Spalding man arrested for drug-driving.

And Aaron Osborne was said to be “shocked” at having a breakdown product of cocaine in his system as he had taken it “weeks previously”.

Osborne was pulled over in Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, just after 2pm on Christmas Eve.

Police had received information that a Vauxhall Corsa was being driven inappropriately, prosecutor Marie Stace told Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 4).

A roadside breath test proved negative so a drug wipe was prepared.

“Mr Osborne told the officer he had had cannabis 20 minutes before,” said Miss Stace. “It proved positive and he was arrested.”

Evidential tests showed Osborne had 63 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine per litre of blood (the specified limit being 50) and 2.3 micrograms of a cannabis breakdown product (specified limit two).

“He had smoked some cannabis,” said Phillipa Chatterton in mitigation. “He’d had two small drags from a joint. The presence of Benzo, he was shocked to say the least.

“He’d taken [cocaine] weeks previously and he was only just above the limit. The cocaine was still breaking down in his system.

“It was a lesson learned on how long drugs can take to break down.”

Osborne, of Sorrel Drive, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug-driving on December 24, 2024.

He was disqualified from driving for 16 months, fined £350 and told to pay £140 victim surcharge and £85 costs.