Ban for near five-times drug limit Thurso driver
A Thurso driver caught at almost five times the legal drug limit was banned for 15 months and fined £325.
Police followed Shannon McPhee, of Springpark, Terrace, Thurso, on December 21, last year and spoke to her after she stopped in Sinclair Street, Thurso.
A drugs swipe proved positive and a follow-up test produced a reading for benzoylecgonine of 248 mcg – the legal limit is 50 mcg – Wick Sheriff Court heard last week.
Solicitor Kayren Stewart said McPhee had taken the drug on top of another drug still in her system and added: “The consequences could have been much more serious.”
Sheriff Neil Wilson, who saw a background report, noted that McPhee (33) had a drug problem at the time of the offence but had voluntarily sought help. However, her drug reading was “very high.”
The sheriff told McPhee, who pleaded guilty, that he would trust her to continue her self-help.
He added that he had initially been minded to fix disqualification at 20 months but in view of McPhee’s early plea he would reduce it.
