A scaffolder is in danger of losing his job after cocaine which he took during a Christmas party remained in his system for several days.
As a result, when Joseph James was stopped by police on December 27 as he drove his Audi A3 along London Road , Pembroke Dock, he was found to have the cocaine derivative, benzoylecgonine, in his system.
Tests carried out in the police custody suite confirmed he had a total of 68 mcg of the drug in his blood; the specified limit is 50.
“He went to a party a few days before Christmas and took cocaine, but had no idea that it would still be in his system several days later,” his solicitor, Mr Michael Kelleher, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“He would never have driven if he’d realised this.”
Mr Kelleher went on to say that James, 43, of Golden Lane, Pembroke, is employed as a scaffolder.
“He’s the main driver for the boys who he takes to work every day,” he said.
“As a result, he’s going to be unemployed. So he and his family are now going to lose out because of his foolishness. And he was only just over the limit.”
James pleaded guilty to driving whilst over the specified drugs limit.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
