Driver found to have cannabis in his system
Mark Mulholland’s blood sample showed he had more than four times the specified limit for the drug.
Mulholland, 30, of Manor Drive, Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to driving with a proportion of a controlled drug over the specified limit.
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Hide AdMartine Connah, prosecuting, said Mulholland was stopped by police as he drove a Hyundai Trajet on Fleetwood Road, on January 16 about 1pm.
A blood sample showed 8.7 micrograms of cannabis in his body – two micrograms is the specified limit.
Phil Turner, defending, said his client, had no previous convictions and a clean driving licence.
Mulholland and his wife had five children to care for at home.
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Hide AdMulholland’s wife had been suffering from the after effects of cancer treatment and he felt stressed.
He had used cannabis earlier in the day and felt the effects had worn off by the time he got into the car.
There had been no suggestion by the police he had been driving badly.
Mulholland was sentenced to a 12-month community order with up to 10 days’ rehabilitation to be supervised by the Probation Service.
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Hide AdHe was also ordered to do 40 hours’ unpaid work for the community, banned from the road for 16 months and ordered to pay £85 costs with £60 victims’ surcharge by District Judge Margaret McCormack sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.