Driver stopped by police had been smoking a cannabis-cocaine joint

Yasin Mohammed Alam was stopped on the A629 at Cross Hills in the early hours of September 14 last year by police officers in a car behind him who had smelt cannabis coming from his vehicle, the court today (Friday).

He tested positive for drugs at the roadside and was taken to Harrogate Police Station where he was found to have 4.2 microgrammes of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) in one litre of blood, the specified limit is two; and 18 microgrammes of cocaine in one litre of blood, the specified limit is 10.

He also had 200 microgrammes of Benzoylecgonine, a by-product of cocaine, in one litre of blood, the specified limit is 50.

Alam, of Midland Street, Skipton, of previous good character, pleaded guilty to three counts of drugs driving.

In mitigation, Keith Blackwell said it was a tragic mistake for Alam who had six children, worked part time in a takeaway and also cared for his 80-year old mother.

He had gone to see friends in Keighley for the evening where he had smoked a cannabis joint which had also got cocaine in it, and was on his way home back to Skipton when he was stopped by police, said Mr Blackwell. He had been fully c-operative with the police.

Alam was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £200. He will also have to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £80.