The man told police he was smoking ‘spliffs’
A LEARNER driver who told police he’d smoked two ‘spliffs’ before driving has been fined and disqualified for a year.
Patrick Stokes (22) of Knockninny Road, Aughakillymaude was charged with driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving without insurance, driving unaccompanied, and driving without L plates. The charges arose from two separate incidents in November last year.
At approximately 11.40pm on November 15 last, police received a report from a member of the public who said they believed the driver of a black Renault Clio in Lisbellaw was very drunk.
Police found the car on a laneway off the village Main Street and spoke to driver, Stokes. His speech was slurred, he was rambling, and he was unsteady on his feet.
Stokes, who wasn’t present at Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Wednesday having suffered a seizure the previous day, passed a preliminary alcohol breath test, but was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs.
While en route to the police station he told the officers he’d smoked two “spliffs”, and a blood test confirmed there was cannabis in this system.
The second incident occurred on November 26, shortly before 9.50pm. Police stopped a blue Volkswagen Jeda and spoke to the driver, Stokes, who was a learner driver. The father-of-two admitted to police he did not have a qualified driver accompanying him, and apologised.
District Judge Nigel Broderick disqualified Stokes from driving for one year and fined him £300.
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