Ferryhill drug driver in Land Rover gave police false name

Adam Bennett was spotted driving a Land Rover that came up on the police system as having no insurance.

The 34-year-old was stopped as he drove along The Avenue in Coxhoe in August last year, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.

John Garside, prosecuting, said the defendant initially gave the police a false name but confessed his true identity when they called for a fingerprint analysis to be carried out.

He said a roadside drug swipe was carried out which revealed the defendant had Benzoylecgonine – a cocaine compound – in his bloodstream.

Bennett, of Gordon Terrace, Ferryhill, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, obstructing a police officer and driving under the influence of cocaine.

Joshua Peacock, mitigating, said the name his client gave to officers had been his official name until he changed it by deed poll.

He said Bennett hadn’t realised that he was disqualified through the ‘totting-up’ process as he had been living in New Zealand for several months last year.

Nicola Gregory, the chairwoman of the magistrates’ bench, banned Bennett from driving for three years and made him subject to a 15-month community order.

She said: “You do have previous convictions, you do have previous driving convictions which you were aware of.

“It is serious offence to be driving while disqualified, whether you knew about it or not.

“It is also a serious offence to drive while you have a controlled drug in your system.”

Bennett was also ordered to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £199 towards court costs.

He was told he must take an extended retest before he drives on public roads once his ban is over.