Llay drug-driver banned after police caught him three times

A police officer with a drug test <i>(Image: Archive)</i>
A police officer with a drug test (Image: Archive)
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A drug-driver who was caught three times by police in a matter of months has been sentenced.

Adam Jasper, of St David's Crescent in Llay, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old had previously admitted five offences of drug-driving and one of possessing cocaine.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that at around 8.35 pm on March 25 this year, police travelling along Heol Celyn in Coedpoeth spotted a grey Fiat motor vehicle travelling at speed towards the A525.

They followed and stopped it in Borras Road, where a male (Jasper) got out and identified himself to the officers.

Due to the manner of his driving, he was asked to provide roadside samples of breath and saliva; which confirmed the presence of drugs and alcohol in his system.

Following his arrest, he gave an evidential sample which showed he had more than 400 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine (the breakdown product of cocaine) per litre of blood, the limit being 50, and cocaine at no less than 63 microgrammes per litre of blood, the limit being 10.

When he gave an evidential sample with regards to alcohol, he was found to be under the limit - but the court was reminded that it could take the presence of alcohol (given he'd tested over the legal limit at the roadside) as an aggravating feature.

The second offence took place on April 30 this year, following his release under investigation for the earlier offences.

Police officers on duty in Brymbo had gone through a green light at temporary traffic signals - and spotted Jasper contravening a red light at the same time.

He was stopped and found to be in possession of a small wrap of cocaine.

Following his arrest, an evidential sample proved he had more than 400 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood once again, significantly over the 50 limit.

And the third set of offences took place on June 2, when a police officer spotted Jasper driving at Llay New Road.

Having had information that the defendant had been suspected of drug-driving, the officer stopped the defendant, who got out and started walking to St David's Crescent.

He told the police officer: "Just let me go home, I can walk."

But he was detained and tested; with evidential samples confirming the presence of cocaine at a concentration of 65 microgrammes per litre of blood (the limit being 10) and benzoylecgonine at a concentration greater than 400 (the limit being 50).

He also tested positive for cannabis and alcohol, though both fell below the legal limit.

Stephen Edwards, defending, commended the "sensible" recommendations of the probation service which had been put forward in a pre-sentence report.

"By virtue of the lengthy three year ban you're obliged to impose," he said, "he will not be driving.

"At the end of the day, it's a dangerous combination for him to take those substances and drive.

"He is the carer for his parents, who are going through some very difficult times.

"You're in a position to sentence him for everything so he goes away from here with nothing outstanding and, hopefully, with a road map so far as his problems are concerned.

"He is relatively lightly convicted - and has only every been before the court once, ten years ago, for excess alcohol and drug-driving."

Mr Edwards said his client was a qualified welder and joiner who, until the last 12 months, had always been in work.

But he'd had to balance his employment with assisting his parents regarding their own medical needs.

"He's trying to cope by taking cocaine and cannabis," Mr Edwards added, "and at times supplementing that with alcohol.

"I think he has now got himself into a bit of a hole."

The magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 10 rehabilitation activity days.

A 38-month driving ban was imposed and Jasper was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.

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