Carlisle farmer who drove 'erratically' had two drugs in his system

At the city’s Rickergate court, 21-year-old Jaz Kittoe, a part-time farmer from Thurstonfield, pleaded guilty to two drug driving offences – one involving cannabis and the other cocaine.

Prosecutor Andy Travis said police noticed the defendant when he was driving his VW Polo along Rydal Street in Carlisle, just after 8pm on January 29.

“The car was being driven erratically as it turned on to Botchergate,” said Mr Travis. When police caught up with Kittoe and spoke to him, the officers notice a smell of cannabis.

As a result of this, they carried out a roadside drugs test, which provided a positive result for cocaine. A blood test later showed the defendant had 16mcg of the drug in every 100mls of blood. The legal limit for cocaine is 10mcg.

Kittoe was also just over the limit for the active ingredient of cannabis.

Steven Marsh, defending, said the defendant ran a two-acre smallholding, where he looked after 17 sheep and 30 calves. He was passionate about farming and his pursuit of this as a business.

Of the inevitable driving ban, the lawyer said this would cause difficulties for the defendant when he travels to another farm where he works as it is 18 miles from his home.

Referring to the prosecution claim that Kittoe’s driving had been erratic, Mr Marsh said it may have appeared that way as the defendant drove over speed humps that are present in the area.  “He was driving relatively slowly, and he was fully cooperative with the police,” said Mr Marsh.

Of the cocaine in Kittoe’s system, the lawyer said: “He did not appreciate how long it stays in your system, as with many defendants but he has learned his lesson.

“He has not taken cocaine since this incident and it’s not something he wants to go back to; he wants to remain free of that and cannabis.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, with 10 rehabilitation activity days and a fine and costs totalling £343. They banned Kittoe from driving for 23 months.