A MAN has lost his licence after getting behind the wheel while eight times over a specified controlled drug limit.

Khyl Haines, of Marsh Street in Barrow, was arrested after providing a lowest drugs wipe reading of 16 ug/L of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – the psychoactive constituent of cannabis.

The legal ‘zero tolerance’ limit is 2 ug/L.

It comes after police saw the 37-year-old defendant driving on Rawlinson Street in Barrow on February 14 this year without a valid MOT certificate, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said road traffic officers asked Haines to conduct a drugs wipe test outside his home address after officers could smell cannabis coming from his Ford Mondeo vehicle.

The court heard Haines apologised and was fully co-operative with officers throughout the procedure.

Defence solicitor Michael Graham representing the defendant said his client’s behaviour was ‘somewhat out of character’.

Mr Graham added: “There was nothing wrong with his driving. He has since stopped using cannabis.

"He is currently unemployed and receiving personal independent payment.

"I strongly urge you to keep the disqualification to a minimum."

Magistrates fined Haines £160 after pleading guilty at the first opportunity to the two charges.

They also imposed the mandatory minimum 12-month driving disqualification, as well as costs of £85 and a £64 surcharge.