A carpet fitter who took cocaine at a work Christmas party and later caught drug-driving on his way to deliver presents has been banned from the roads.
Simon John Clarkson, 39, of William Street, Penrith, was pulled over while travelling in a BMW near Killington Lake services on the M6 at around 2pm on December 22 last year.
Police stopped Clarkson’s vehicle because of the manner in which it was being driven, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard.
A drugs wipe test provided a positive cocaine reading. Further analysis later showed the level of a cocaine breakdown product in Clarkson was above the specified driving limit.
In court Clarkson admitted a drug-driving charge.
Defence solicitor Kate Hunter, mitigating, said the offence arose out of social recreational use of the illegal drug by the defendant at a work Christmas party. “Mr Clarkson knows he has made the wrong choices and wrong decisions,” said Miss Hunter.
A probation officer who interviewed Clarkson — a carpet fitter and floor layer — learned the defendant had also smoked a cannabis joint before setting out on the M6 journey.
He was heading to Lancashire to deliver Christmas presents. “He had no idea that the cocaine would still be in his body. He is ashamed by his actions,” said the probation officer.
After hearing detailed personal mitigation, district judge Andrew Garthwaite imposed a community order. Clarkson must complete 100 hours’ unpaid work and was given a 20-month driving ban.
“There are many things in life that don’t mix,” the judge said as he passed sentence. “Vehicles, alcohol and drugs are not a good combination.”
He said to Clarkson: “I hope this acts as a salutary reminder to you. This is what happens when you transgress the law.”
