A DRUG driver was caught after he lost control of his car on a country road near Dalston and crashed into a wall.

William Sleightholm, 20, came to the attention of the police when he crashed his Ford Fiesta on June 24, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard. He admitted driving while over the limit for cannabis. 

Prosecutor George Shelley said the accident happened in the hamlet of Chalkfoot, south of Dalston, at around 9pm.

“He immediately identified himself to the policle officers and said he was travelling too fast and lost control,” said prosecutor George Shelley. 

A blood test confirmed that the defendant, of Boundary Road, Currock, Carlisle, was slightly over the limit for the active ingredient of cannabis. Sleightholm admitted using cannabis two or three days before the accident.

Mr Shelley added: “He said he was unfamiliar with that stretch of road and he has no previous convictions before today.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month ban, with a £120 fine and a £48 victim surcharge. He must also pay prosecution costs of £85.