Community service for Laxey man who was four times over drug drive limit

36-year-old's van was also in dangerous condition

A Laxey man has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after being caught behind the wheel whilst more than four times over the legal drug driving limit.

James David Luton, of Agneash, was stopped by police on the Creg-ny-Baa Back Road on 4 August after officers smelt cannabis.

The 36-year-old refused to comply with the drug wipe test and was arrested; 5.1 grams of cannabis, worth £102, was found in his van which was recorded as having a number of defects.

Luton later pleaded guilty to drug driving and having a van in a dangerous condition – he also admitted possessing £60 worth of cocaine on 26 November in Villiers Lane in Douglas.

During sentencing Luton’s advocate told the court her client had been self-medicating with cannabis but had waited six hours after taking it to drive.

"This is clearly a turning point in Mr Luton’s life," she said: "Mr Luton has had a big wake up call going through the criminal justice system."

Ordering Luton to do 120 hours of community service, and imposing a two-year probation order, Magistrates told him: "Unfortunately drug driving is becoming all too common in these courts."

Luton was also disqualified from driving for two years, and until he's taken and passed an extended driving test, and must pay £125 in prosecution costs.