A DRIVER who crashed into a garage while unfit through drugs has been handed an 18-month driving ban.

James O’Connor, 55, was driving a Peugeot on Senhouse Street in Siddick on June 27 when he was involved in a road traffic collision.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said O’Connor crashed the vehicle into a garage.

O’Connor appeared to be under the influence and was ‘clearly unfit through drugs’. A drugs wipe was negative.

He was taken to the police station for a blood sample but this was unable to be done due to medical reasons.

O’Connor was charged with failing to provide a specimen but then offered a to driving while unfit through drugs.

Claire Kirkpatrick, defending, said O’Connor had recently been sentenced at the crown court for a separate driving offence and the judge had been informed about this matter.

O’Connor had been given a suspended prison sentence and a 36-month driving ban at the crown court. He must also sit an extended re-test before driving again.

Ms Kirkpatrick asked magistrates to consider imposing a financial penalty or a conditional order of discharge for this offence.

O’Connor, of Senhouse Street, Siddick, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and an 18-month driving ban, to run concurrently with the current disqualification.

O’Connor must also pay a £26 victim surcharge.