A drug driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine in his system.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday that on March 2 this year Jamie Leafe was driving a Fiat on Southmoor Close in Darlington with benzoylecgonine - cocaine - in his system above the specified limit.

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The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence and was handed a three-year driving ban by magistrates, alongside a 12-month conditional discharge.

Leafe, of Gleneagles Road, Darlington, was also ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge.

The court recorded that no further order for costs was made due to his lack of means.

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