A NORTH Yorkshire man found with an imitation gun while driving under the influence of drugs has been banned from the roads.

Stephen John Baines, 31, from Harrogate, was stopped while driving a blue Vauxhall Astra on the A19 at Selby in the early hours of April 4 York magistrates heard a blood test showed Baines was over the specified limit for cannabis and almost three times over the limit for benzoylcgonine.

He admitted the offence and was banned from the roads for 18 months.

He was also found to be in possession of cannabis, a loaded air rifle and an imitation firearm, and admitted those offences before magistrates.

For those he was ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service and pay £170 in fines and costs.

Traffic Constable Mark Patterson said afterwards: “It is a satisfying to know that we have taken another dangerous motorist off the roads who blatantly disregards the safety of others.

“We will not tolerate drivers who think it is acceptable to drive a vehicle whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”