A MOTORBIKE rider who was stopped by police due to the speed he was travelling at ended up receiving a driving ban as opposed to a talking to due to being under the influence of drugs.

Benjamin Bowkett, 27, was stopped by police on the A495 at Llynclys near the Powys-Shropshire border on October 2, last year.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard last Tuesday, January 24, that Bowkett was stopped by police due to the manner of his driving. But officers discovered he was in possession of cannabis, while a roadside drug test also showed he was over the drug drive limit.

Bowkett, of Troed Y Rhiw, Meifod, admitted drug driving and possessing cannabis at last week’s hearing.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the defendant was driving a Yamaha 125 when he was stopped, just before 11am, on October 2.

He had one gram of cannabis on him while the drug test showed there to be 6.3 micrograms of the Class B drug in his system – the legal limit is two micrograms.

“The defendant was seen riding a motorbike and was stopped due to the speed,” said Mrs Tench.

“He was searched and cannabis was found. He admitted it was his, it was valued at around £10. “Officers noticed his eyes were wide and due to the fact he was stopped for a traffic offence, a roadside test was carried out, proving positive.

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“He admitted the cannabis was his and he was going to smoke it. He knew it was illegal.”

Speaking in his own defence, poultry shed worker Bowkett said: “There’s nothing I really can say. It happened and I’ve learnt my lesson.”

He was fined £400 and banned from driving for 12 months. He must also pay a £160 surcharge and £85 costs, with no separate penalty issued for the possession charge. The drugs were also ordered to be destroyed.