Newcastle driver banned from roads after getting caught swerving between lanes
A jobless contracts manager is starting a 16-month roads’ ban after being caught drug driving in Washington due to his poor lane compliance.
Dean Gibb, 58, was spotted by police as he motored his black Peugeot 308 on the westbound A1231 Sunderland Highway on Tuesday, June 24, a court heard.
Gibb, of Byron Court, Chapel House, Newcastle, had taken cocaine several days earlier, his defence solicitor admitted.
Prosecutor Sandra Fife told magistrates in South Tyneside that Gibb was pulled over and his behaviour in the back of the police car raised suspicions.
It led officers to request a roadside saliva swipe, which came back positive for the class A substance.
Mrs Fife said: “Officers witnessed the defendant travelling west on the A1231.
“On following the vehicle, the manner of driving fell below that of a competent driver, due to lane compliance. No action was taken in relation to that.
“His vehicle came to a stop and the officers conversed with him in the rear of the police car, raising their suspicions.
“A roadside specimen of saliva was requested. It returned positive for cocaine.
“Due to that, he was cautioned, arrested and taken to a police station and the blood procedure carried out.”
Gibb, a grandfather, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving.
He gave a reading in blood for cocaine greater than 32mcg. The legal limit is 10mcg.
His reading for cocaine breakdown product BZE was greater than 800mcg. The legal limit is 50mcg.
Peter Thubron, defending, said: “He accepts that he had taken cocaine. He had had cocaine some days before.
“He recalls that he had two lines of cocaine, and it was for recreational purposes. He doesn’t have an addiction.
“After this happened, he stopped using the drug and he also sold the car.
“He is a contracts manager who is looking for work. I fear that at his age, he may not get more work.”
Magistrates also fined Gibb £120, with £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
Gary Cracknell, chair of the bench, told him: “The drugs in your system were at the top end.”