A WREXHAM man caught illegally riding a motorbike was more than eight times the limit for cannabis, a court heard.

Jason Owen, of Eyton Grove, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old admitted that on August 1, he drove a Honda motorcycle in Grosvenor Road whilst over the limit for cannabis.

He also admitted that on that occasion, he drove without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

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Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that police on duty in Wrexham spotted the defendant riding the motorbike at around 11pm.

It was travelling in excess of the speed limit and a smell of cannabis was detected.

Owen provided a positive roadside sample and went on to give a reading of 17.5 microgrammes of cannabis in a litre of blood, the limit being 2.

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court her client had been "fully cooperative" with officers at the roadside and in the police station.

She explained: "Regarding the licence matter, it was an expired provisional licence.

"He'd got the motorbike the day before and intended to get his bike licence to see his son more regularly.

"He fully accepts he took cannabis - he is self medicating at the moment having broken his back after falling off a roof.

The Leader:

"Cannabis, he feels, is the only thing which addresses his pain.

"He has had a period of homelessness recently and is now living in a campervan on his mother's driveway."

District Judge Gwyn Jones handed down a £200 fine and ordered the defendant to pay £85 costs, as well as an £80 victim surcharge.

Owen was banned from driving for 24 months.