A DRUG driver was caught out after police spotted an issue with his brake light, a court heard.
Andrew Pratt, of Glebeland Court in Donnington, Telford, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The 47-year-old admitted one offence of drug-driving, which took place on the A55 at Caerwys on November 24 last year.
Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court Pratt was stopped initially due to a problem with one of his brake lights.
There had been no suggestion of any driving impairment, he said.
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But when a roadside test was carried out, it returned a positive drug reading.
When giving an evidential reading, he was found to have 143 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine (a cocaine breakdown product referred to as BZE) per litre of blood; the limit being 50.
Mr Espie said Pratt had a relevant previous conviction, albeit some time ago in 2017, meaning the court would be looking at a mandatory minimum ban of three years.
Mike Pugh, defending, said: "He pleads guilty at the earliest opportunity and knows the difficult position he finds himself in.
"There are no aggravating features regarding his driving.
"Mr Pratt was fully compliant with the police.
"He fully accepts having taken recreational drugs but expected to be under the limit.
"He was surprised given the positive test - as he'd taken it 36 hours before, but understands it doesn't diminish his responsibility in any way."
The court handed down a £120 fine and ordered the defendant to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
He was banned from driving for three years.
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