Coked-up Scots motorist caught driving at sixteen times legal drug limit gets road ban

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A coked-up motorist caught behind the wheel of his car at sixteen times the legal drug limit has been banned from driving.Jamie Mallinson was pulled over by police as he drove his Seat Ibiza in Bilston, Midlothian.Cops found the 34-year-old was “immediately argumentative and constantly talking” and he was drug tested.A later blood test showed he had 800 microgrammes of a cocaine derivative in his bloodstream when the limit is 50mg.Mallinson appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday for sentencing.He pled guilty to drug driving last month and the case was deferred for reports.Sheriff Ian Anderson told Mallinson that his drug reading was “exceptionally high”, but added he was a first offender.The sheriff banned Mallinson from driving for 14 months and imposed a £320 fine.Earlier defence agent John Good told the court his client, of Penicuik, Midlothian, turned to cocaine as he was suffering from depression and anxiety.Mr Good added: “He has abstained from cocaine for some time.”At last month’s hearing, fiscal depute Clare Green said police on mobile patrol signalled Mallinson’s vehicle to stop on Moorfoot View at around 3.30pm.Ms Green said the driver was argumentative with cops and wouldn’t stop talking, leading to a roadside drug test being administered.Mallinson tested positive for cocaine and was taken to St Leonards police station in the capital.An analysis found he had 800mg of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood when the limit was 50mg per litre.Benzoylecgonine is a substance made when the body breaks down cocaine.Mallinson was arrested on the charge after being pulled over on October 13 last year. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .