'Most wanted' - South Shields dad caught drug-driving turned to cocaine due to stress of cop hunt for his son
South Shields man was banned from driving after turning to cocaine due to stress from police , a court was told.
A South Tyneside man caught drug driving after turning to cocaine to deal with the stress of a police hunt for his son has been banned from the roads.
Maurice Allan, 54, had the class A drug in his system at above the legal limit after his arrest at a motorway service station in Washington on Friday, February 6.
Allan, of Delaval Court, Chichester, South Shields, was also in possession of cocaine and driving while subject to a disqualification he knew nothing about.
He had not been in trouble since 2009 but had started using the drug after being “hounded” by police, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
His solicitor said they had done so in the unfounded belief he knew the whereabouts of his son, who has since died.
Allan is starting a year-long road disqualification after pleading guilty to two counts of drug driving.
He also admitted one count each of driving while disqualified and possession of cocaine.
Prosecutor Christopher O’Brien said: “At Washington Services, an officer was on the A1(M) northbound when he observed the defendant driving.
“At the car park, he arrested him on suspicion of driving while disqualified. A drug swipe proved positive for cocaine.
“White powder was also found in his wallet at Forth Banks police station. Forensics of his blood showed cocaine.
“Drug driving is a disqualification of 12 to 16 months, and possession of the drug is up to 51 weeks in custody.”
Allan’s reading for cocaine in blood was 22mcg, against a legal limit of 10mcg.
And his reading for cocaine breakdown product BZE was 800mcg, the legal limit being 50mcg.
He has 11 previous convictions from 36 offences, including two for class A drug offences.
Allan was banned from driving for eight months under points totting at Bradford Magistrates’ Court in November, it was said.
The carer was not aware of the hearing and correspondence relating to it was sent to an address he did not have access to.
Amy Rochester, defending, said: “At this particular period of time, his son was wanted by the police. His son appeared in ‘most wanted’ lists.
“Mr Allan felt like the police were hounding him to find out the whereabouts of his son.
“He took to cocaine to deal with the anxiety. He hadn’t taken cocaine that day but had days prior.
“He was shocked and remorseful and says that he would not have driven if he had known it was in his system.
“His son passed away in Dubai. The stress took its toll but he’s now completely clean of drugs and he has been referred to grief and bereavement counselling.”
For drug driving, District Judge Zoe Passfield banned Allan for 12 months and fined him £120, with a £96 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
She also banned him for six concurrent months for driving while banned and fined him £120.
There was no separate penalty for drug possession, but the judge ordered its forfeiture and destruction.