A Kent carpet fitter told magistrates he would have to claim benefits if he was unable to drive after pleading guilty to drug-driving.
James Hazell was stopped by a police officer while driving in Dartford last June. The PC immediately smelt cannabis on the 37-year-old who was also in possession of a small quantity of the drug, Medway Magistrates Court was told.
He told the constable he had been smoking cannabis since he was 17.
Hazell was later charged with drug driving and possession of cannabis and admitted both charges in court.
The court was also heard that when Hazell’s blood test was taken, he was found to have 3.5micrograms of THC per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.
Magistrates told Hazel that he would be banned from driving for 17 months and must pay a £200 fine, despite the court hearing he would be unable to continue as a carpet fitter if he was not able to drive and that he had relied on it to see his three children, who he supports financially.
He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £80 at the hearing last month.
Magistrates did not impose a separate penalty for the possession charge.
