A ONE-year driving ban has been handed to a 23-year-old Carlisle man who was caught driving while under the influence of cannabis.

Patrick Donoghue, of London Road, committed the offence on January 7 as he drove a Peugeot panel van in an area of Carlisle, the city’s Rickergate court heard.

He admitted driving while over the limit for cannabis and possessing the class B drug.

Prosecutor George Shelley said suspicions were raised after the defendant was seen stopping near to a group of youths and taking part in "an exchange" of some kind before he then drove off, disappearing from sight.

“The vehicle was eventually located and stopped on Eldon Drive,” said Mr Shelley.

Donoghue produced a positive roadside drugs swipe test result for cannabis and a small among of cannabis resin was found in his van.

He was two and a half times the legal driving limit for the active ingredient of the class B drug, said Mr Shelley. As the case concluded, the defendant, who was not legally represented, asked the judge: "Is there a course you can do?"

District Judge John Temperley told him that there a course for convicted drink drivers, which if competed successfully reduces the length of the defendant's ban. But there is no such course for those convicted of drug driving.

As well as imposing the mandatory 12-month driving ban, District Judge Temperley fined the defendant £120, with £96 costs.