South Tyneside man drug drove on cocaine to help deal with 'stress' of Syria and family fears
Tyne Dock man caught driving under the influence of cocaine said he was fearing for the safety of his family in Syria.
A South Tyneside man fearing for his family in embattled Syria was caught drug driving after taking cocaine to help him deal with the stress, a court heard.
Mohammad Alyounis, 23, was pulled over by police after he undertook their unmarked car and another vehicle at excessive speed in Gateshead.
Alyounis was heading home to John Williamson Street, near Tyne Dock, after driving his silver VW Passat to Newcastle Quayside to relax.
A blood test after his arrest on the A184 Felling Bypass dual carriageway on Saturday, December 27, proved positive for cocaine and its breakdown product BZE.
He is now starting a two-year road ban after pleading guilty to two counts of drug driving and driving without due care and attention.
Prosecutor Christopher O’Brien told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “He undertook an unmarked police vehicle and a member of the public’s car.
“He was driving at 60mph, in excess of the road’s 40mph limit. He was stopped by officers and saliva tested at the roadside. It was positive for cocaine.”
Alyounis gave a reading for class A drug cocaine in blood of greater than 32mcg. The legal limit is 10mcg.
His reading in blood for BZE was not less than 754mcg, against a legal limit of 50mcg.
Nick Kell, defending, said Alyounis’ disqualification would severely impact his disabled brother for whom he is a full-time carer and who requires transport support.
Mr Kell added: “He is a man of previous good character. His mum passed away in Syria and his father and sister are still living there.
“On the day of this offence, he was going through a very stressful time. There was news of issues in Syria in December, and he was worried about his family there.
“He’s far from a regular user of drugs but does accept that he took cocaine for release. He drove to the Quayside in Newcastle to clear his head.
“Mr Alyounis is saddened to hear it is a mandatory disqualification. Being able to drive is an essential part of his brother’s care.”
Magistrates also fined Alyounis £200, with £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.