A FARMER was over the drink-drive limit and had two wraps of cocaine in his pocket as he drove to hospital.

Police were made aware of a possible drink driver at 5am on June 3, Workington Magistrates’ Court was told.

Officers located the white VW Golf driven by Declan Harrison, 22, and pulled him over, near the Highlands estate, on the A595 Loop Road in Whitehaven.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers spoke to the defendant, whose speech was slurred. A breath test showed Harrison had 60mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

The defendant was also found with two wraps, later identified as cocaine, in his jeans pocket, the court heard.

Lauren Heasley, defending, said June 3 was a 'disaster' for Harrison. She said he had parked his car in Workington and then gone out and consumed alcohol.

Ms Heasley said Harrison was 'at pains to point out' that he is not a drug user and the wraps of cocaine were not his.

She told the court that one of Harrison’s friends had banged the back of his head and he had got in his car to follow him to West Cumberland Hospital.

“He didn’t stop to think,” she told the court. “He was compliant with police procedures.”

The court heard that Harrison is a farmer, who tends to sheep in fields at Workington, Cockermouth and Wigton.

Ms Heasley said the loss of his driving licence will mean he has to rely on others for help.

Harrison, of Beck Farm, Wheyrigg, Wigton, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with alcohol level above the limit and possessing a Class A drug - cocaine.

He was banned from driving for 17 months, to be reduced by 17 weeks, if he completes a drink-driver’s rehabilitation course.

The defendant was fined a total of £1,170 and must pay £85 costs and a £117 victim surcharge.

MORE FROM COURT: An 'intelligent' heroin user jailed after supplying the drug to his friends