Cleator Moor man sentenced for spate of drug driving offences

The accident caused by 36-year-old Cleator Moor man Colin Simpson was one of three occasions when he committed offences linked to his use of illicit drugs, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard. The defendant admitted:

• Driving while over the prescribed limit for cocaine at Leconfield Street, Cleator Moor, on August 1.
• Driving while over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product on the A596 at Hensingham on August 7.
• Driving while over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product at Birks Road, Cleator Moor, on September 12.
• And, on the same occasion, driving without due care and attention.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly outlined the facts. In all four offences, he said, the defendant was driving a Seat Leon.

On August 1, the offence came to light after police received a report at 3.40am that a tree had fallen across Leconfield Street in Cleator Moor. Police arrived and found evidence that the defendant's car, parked a short distance away, had hit the tree. A roadside drugs test produced a positive result for cocaine.

The defendant was more than twice the limit. The second offence on August 7 happened on the Hensingham Bypass and was discovered after the defendant returned to recover his car after an accident. He was found to be almost six times the limit for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product.

The final two offences arose from accident which happened on September 12 in Birks Road. The motorcyclist was riding his Triumph Bonneville to work when he slowed down on Birks Road, and indicated to show his intention to turn. The defendant's car was coming in the opposite direction, not indicating, but the Seat then turned across his path, causing the collision.

The rider was taken to hospital and is awaiting the results of a scan. He complained of pain in his right hip and shoulder. At the time of the accident, the court heard, Simpson was over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product - by some 16 times.

An analysis of his blood also revealed traces of cannabis but below the driving limit. Duncan Campbell, defending, said the offending was triggered by the "complete breakdown" of the defendant's life. The lawyer said: "He was in a long-term relationship, and it suddenly came to an end without any explanation and that left him in a terrible state."

Simpson planned to take sick leave but did not know how. He ultimately lost his job as a result. "Essentially, his world had collapsed," said Mr Campbell, pointing out that the offending had been completely out of character for Simpson.

The lawyer refuted a suggestion that the defendant tried to minimise his behaviour. "He's ashamed of his behaviour," said Mr Campbell. The defendant, of Birks Road, Cleator Moor, made enquiries about the motorcyclist who was injured.

Though his time spent on remand in custody was difficult, partly because he had been denied the medication he needs, it had given Simpson time to reflect. "He is determined to sort himself out and would very much like the assistance of the Probation Service," added Mr Campbell. District Judge John Temperley said there was no doubt the offences, taken together, crossed the custody threshold.

But he said he would impose a suspended sentence because he believed there was a genuine prospect of rehabilitation. The district judge accepted there was a mental health background, though that did not excuse his decision to repeatedly take drugs and drive. The judge imposed a 16-week jail term, suspended for a year.

He also banned Simpson for three years and told him to observe a three month 8pm to 6am curfew and complete an eight week drug rehabilitation requirement. The sentence includes up to 15 days of rehabilitation. The judge told the defendant: "Take the opportunity I am giving you - for your sake and for the sake of anybody else who is near to you on the road in the future."

The defendant must pay a GBP154 victim surcharge and GBP85 costs.