ROOFER Robert James Lloyd, stopped while driving a Transit van, was found to be over the drug-drive limit.

But his solicitor stressed in court that his client had not been smoking a joint while working on the roof.

That would have been extremely dangerous for him and other people and he could have fallen off, said Stephen Edwards.

He said Lloyd was not a regular cannabis user but on occasions when in a low mood or feeling anxious he would sometimes used cannabis.

He had not done so that day but it was clear that cannabis remained in the system for some time.

Lloyd, 40, of Prince of Wales Avenue in Flint, admitted driving with 2.7 milligrammes of delta 9, a cannabis derivative, in his blood compared to the legal limit of two.

To make matters worse North East Wales Magistrates Court at Mold was told it was his second such conviction and he was therefore banned from driving for three years.

He was fined £120 with £85 costs and a £30 surcharge and also fined a further £120 after he admitted not having insurance.

Mr Edwards said his client had the opportunity of some work and because he did not have his own transport he was allowed to use a vehicle of another worker.

Prosecutor Justin Espie said when stopped Lloyd said the vehicle belonged to some travellers.

He had an expired provisional driving licence, no insurance and he provided a positive drugs test.

The vehicle had been seized by the police.