A CARLISLE man was caught drug-driving on the M6 while at work in his company’s van.

Matthew Hyden, 37, was spotted by an eagle-eyed member of the public who was also travelling on the northbound carriageway at around 2-45pm on February 26.

“This followed reports that a vehicle was ‘swerving’ and the driver appeared to be ‘smoking a spliff’,” prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

“This was a white Renault Master van with company markings. That was driven by the defendant, Mr Hyden.”

A police sergeant stopped the vehicle on an exit slip road at Junction 44, and carried out a roadside breath test and drug wipe procedure.

Of the latter, Mr Shelley said: “This showed a positive result for cannabis.”

After Hyden, of East Norfolk Street, Carlisle, was taken into custody, an evidential blood sample was taken and sent away for analysis.

READ MORE: Carlisle United  pay tribute to former manager who died

As a result of the findings, Hyden pleaded guilty to driving with a proportion of the main psychoactive substance of cannabis over the specified limit.

Duncan Campbell, defending, sought to correct some information given by the motorway witness.

“Somebody reported he was smoking a joint. He certainly was not. He rolls his own cigarettes using king-sized papers,” said Mr Campbell. “It is just somebody’s imagination getting a bit wild there.”

The lawyer added of Hyden: “He would dispute he was swerving. There was one movement. He has sciatica. He was in a significant amount of pain that day. There may have been one moment he was dealing with pain in his back. He may have wavered slightly.”

There was certainly no “lane-to-lane” weaving, the court heard.

“It appears to be a carry-over from the night before,” said Mr Campbell of the cannabis use. “Just a social joint — nothing more sinister than that.

“As a result of the prosecution he has lost his job. He had to sell his own vehicle because he lost his job. He does not have any transport at the moment.”

Hyden had since found new employment in Penrith with a colleagues involved in a car-sharing scheme. “He has been quite sensible about this,” added Mr Campbell.

Magistrates banned Hyden from driving for 16 months with immediate effect. He must also pay a £350 fine, £85 costs and a £35 mandatory surcharge.

READ MORE: Police launch summer campaign to tackle unruly youths