Driving ban as rise in drug-driving cases highlighted at Wick court

Drug-driving cases are overtaking drink-driving numbers in Caithness, according to a fiscal at Wick Sheriff Court.

The rise in cases was highlighted by fiscal David Barclay at the court on Wednesday, with new roadside tests said to be behind the change.

He said that new technology meant that errant drivers could be swiped for drugs after being stopped by police.

Mr Barclay said that some drivers who tested positive couldn't understand why, when they had not taken drugs for some days – the explanation being that some drugs remained in the system for longer.

Before the court was Jacqueline Elder, who pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges within a six-week period.

The 32-year-old had a level of 235mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system when stopped by police on March 29, last year, near her home at Nells Cottage, Scrabster.

Then on May 9, 2021, she also failed another drugs test, in East Church Street, Thurso. She had 400mcg of the same drug in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Sheriff Joseph Platt indicated he would follow the recommendation of a background report. He fined Elder £170 on each charge and banned her for a year.