An Axminster dad slapped with a driving ban after he took cannabis while behind the wheel promised a court ‘it will never happen again’.
A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to drug-driving in Seaton on 13 September 13
last year, writes Isabelle Pinnock, OPCC court reporting scheme.
Daniel Reed Williams, of Green Lawn Way, Axminister, was stopped by officers while
driving in Harbour Road, Seaton, Exeter Magistrates’ Court was told.
Officers on duty in Seaton noted the smell of cannabis from a blue Vauxhall Zafira.
They followed the car until it came to a natural stop, and the defendant admitted to
having consumed cannabis.
Reed Williams was arrested and found to have 6.8 microgrammes of cannabis in his
blood. He has one previous conviction for a similar offence.
Representing himself, the defendant said: “I fully accept responsibility and
understand how serious this offence is.
“This has been a serious wake-up call and it will never happen again.”
The court heard Reed Williams is the primary carer for his young daughter and
resigned from his job in December in order to take care of her full-time.
“This will make things difficult,” he said. “But it is the consequences of my actions.”
Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving ban and a fine of £80 reduced from £120
due to Reed Williams’s early guilty plea.
The defendant was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £32 and will not have to pay
court costs.
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