A YOUNG motorist who was stopped by the police for driving “erratically” was found to be just over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product.

Callum Brown, 21, who was driving along Boundary Road, Currock, was given a blood test and found to be over the limit for benzoylecgonine by 1mcg, Carlisle’s Rickergate court was told. He admitted the offence.

He also admitted driving while uninsured. Prosecutor George Shelley described what happened.

Police became involved on January 17 after a report came in that Brown had been seen behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra driving erratically.

There were two passengers in the car. “Just before 3.30pm, police stopped the vehicle and carried out various checks,” said Mr Shelley.

Realising the car was registered to another person – the defendant’s father – the police made further checks, confirming that Brown had no valid insurance for driving the car on that day. He said he usually took out a one-day policy for the vehicle.

“But he was dropping off some friends and decided not to bother [with the insurance] for what was a ten-minute journey.”

Based on the defendant’s behaviour at the roadside, the officers carried out a drug swipe test, which produced a positive result for cocaine. A later test confirmed that Brown had 51mcg of benzoylecgonine in every litre of blood.

The legal limit for driving is 50mcg.

Andrew Gurney, defending, said Brown, of Linden Terrace, Carlisle, was a “hard-working” young man who had recently completed an apprenticeship in bricklaying.

He had no previous criminal history.

“He had only tried cocaine once before – about a week before, and he thought that he was safe to drive,” said the lawyer. He was only one microgram over the legal limit, so it’s really unfortunate…He is truly remorseful.”

Magistrates noted the low level of drug involved – just 1mcg over the legal limit, but also that the defendant’s driving was reported to be erratic and that he was carrying two passengers.

They imposed fines and costs totalling £649 as well as a 12-month driving ban. This was made up of  £403 fine, a £161 victim surcharge, and £85 costs.