POLICE who stopped a car being driven erratically were overcome by the smell of cannabis, a court heard.

Uninsured driver Darren Wilson, 31, was "agitated, fidgeting and non-compliant" before he was arrested in July.

When his house in Darlington was searched, a document for the Volvo was in a false name as he did not have a licence.

Wilson was banned from the roads for a year and ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work for the community.

The judge, Recorder Toby Wynn, said "Driving under the influence of cannabis is creates an obvious risk to others."

Nigel Soppitt, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court: "He has reduced his cannabis consumption, and he's doing it slowly."

Wilson, of Longfield Road, Darlington, admitted driving without a licence, without insurance, driving while unfit through drugs and forging a registration document.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said: "Officers caused the car to stop and when they spoke to the driver it was clear there was a smell of cannabis."