Drug-driver failed to throw police of scent after getting caught at Jarrow petrol station

Tyler Edgar, 20, made the claim after a special constable quizzed him as he stood next to his motor at the Esso petrol station in York Avenue, Jarrow.

The officer believed Edgar, of Witham Road, Hebburn, had been drinking or taking drugs due to his zany behaviour and a report of a drug-driver in the area.

He also smelled cannabis in the air – and Edgar initially coughed to being the driver, prosecutor Emma O’Hegarty told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

But he backtracked, and instead claimed he walked there.

Edgar wept through part of the court hearing at which he admitted being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs, and cannabis possession on Saturday, August 8.

District Judge Kathryn Meek heard he had been convicted of a different charge of drug-driving in March 2020.

He was still awaiting sentence when he committed his latest crime.

Mrs O’Hegarty said: “A special constable was tasked with attending the Jarrow area after a report of a drug-driver.

“He found a black Fiesta Zetec in the Esso petrol station and in one of the parking bays.

“The man was standing talking to other people. He could smell cannabis coming from him.

“The officer asked him how he had got to the area, and he said he had driven, but then stated, ‘No, I walked here’.”

A small amount of cannabis was also found, and Edgar was arrested and made full admissions to both offences.

Sandra Fife, defending, said Edgar had suffered a series of personal setbacks and his drug use had followed.

Mrs Fife added: “He has always worked. He has an apprenticeship and wants to get back to work. His future could be quite bright.”

Edgar gave a drugs reading of 3.1mcgs of cannabis constituent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mcgs.

He was banned from driving for 12-months, which will run alongside a matching disqualification imposed in November for the drug-drive offence.

He was also given a 12-month community order, with a requirement of up to 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

And he must pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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