More drug drivers named after their convictions in court

More drug drivers arrested as part of a winter crackdown by Sussex Police have been named and convicted in court.

Officers carried out enforcement patrols and checks as part of a national campaign called Operation Limit to stop drink and drug-drivers through December.

Some of those convicted and disqualified for their offences are being named to raise awareness and provide a deterrent to others from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

The force named dozens of drink-drivers convicted, and now some of the drug-drivers have also appeared before the courts.

Convictions can take longer for drug-driving cases because blood samples from those arrested have to be sent to a laboratory for analysis

Roads Policing Unit Superintendent Rachel Glenton said: “Our officers are determined to catch offenders on our roads before they cause serious harm to themselves or other road users.

“We patrol the county’s roads 24/7, every day of the year, and these results show that while we can’t be everywhere, we could be anywhere.”

Among those who appeared before Worthing Magistates’ Court on June 8 was Mitchell Jones, of The Croft, Bognor.

The 31-year-old, formerly a workshop engineer, admitted driving while disqualified, driving over the prescribed limit for drugs, driving without valid insurance, and assault on an emergency worker.

The court heard how the arrest happened when officers were on patrol in Lyminster Road, Lyminster at atbout 11.40am on December 28.

Jones was driving a Land Rover and claimed he smokes cannabis on a daily basis and has continued to drive despite convictions and being disqualified from driving for similar offences in January 2022 and September 2022.

On this occasion, he tested positive for 2.7 microgrammes (mcg) of cannabis chemical breakdown per litre (l) of blood.

The prescribed limit for evidence is 2mcg of cannabis breakdown per litre of blood.

The court imposed an eight-week suspended prison sentence and ordered Jones to pay £250 compensation to the officer he assaulted.

A further three-year disqualification was imposed, and Jones must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) sessions.

He must pay a £120 fine, £85 court costs and a £187 surcharge.

Daniel Walding appeared before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on May 22 where he admitted two counts of driving over the specified limit for drugs, namely cannabis and cocaine.

The 32—year-old unemployed former care assistant, of Lindfield Road, Eastbourne, was stopped at 7.10pm on December 31 in Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne.

Officers noticed a possible tyre defect on his vehicle at a petrol station, then smelt cannabis from the car.

He tested positive for 65mcg of cocaine per litre of blood. The prescribed limit for evidence is 10mcg of cocaine per litre of blood.

Walding was disqualified for one year and must complete 240 hours of unpaid work, with 25 RAR sessions.

Meanwhile Michael Butler was stopped in Amherst Road, Hastings, on December 23 after police received a report from the public about a possible intoxicated driver.

The unemployed 40-year-old, of Amherst Road, tested positive for 3.7mcg of cannabis chemical breakdown per litre of blood.

He was disqualified for three years, fined £120, and must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

Police stopped Leonard Fuller after three reports from the public of poor driving by the driver of a silver van in Eastbourne Road, Willingdon at 7pm on December 30.

The 59-year-old was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words when spoken to by officers.

He tested positive for 3.7mcg of cannabis chemical breakdown per litre of blood in his body.

At Hastings Magistrates’ Court on May 31 he admitted drug-driving, driving without valid insurance and driving without a valid MOT.

Fuller, unemployed of Stonedene Close, Forest Row, was disqualified for three years, fined £120, with £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

Teddy Goodman-West was stopped by officers while driving a Mini Cooper at 11pm on December 16 in Civic Way, Burgess Hill, and at first denied consuming any alcohol or drugs.

But he was positive for alcohol and cocaine.

The 21-year-old mechanic, of Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on May 31 where he admitted two counts of drug driving and one count of drink-driving.

He tested positive for 50mcg of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Goodman-West was disqualified for one year and fined £329. He must also pay £85 costs and a £263 surcharge.

Shaswar Ranjbari was stopped by police at 2.55am on December 4 while driving a VW Golf in Fishersgate, Southwick.

Police saw a rear bulb was not working on the vehicle.

The 23-year-old sales assistant, of Rowlands Road, Worthing, had traces of cocaine in his system.

He tested positive for 18mcg of cocaine per litre of blood. The prescribed limit for evidence is 10mcg per litre of blood.

Ranjbari appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on June 8, where he admitted drug driving. He was disqualified for one year and fined £500.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £200 surcharge.

Sussex Police officers’ work to stop drink and drug drivers continues all year round, and officers will continue to be on patrol to stop selfish motorists who put the safety of themselves and other road users at risk.

The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include:
• Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;
• A minimum 12-month ban;
• An unlimited fine;
• A possible prison sentence;
• A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
• An increase in your car insurance costs;
• Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.