AN Ellesmere Port man who had taken cannabis on Christmas Day was stopped by police for drug-driving the following day.

Ryan Dooley, 35, of Bebington Road, Great Sutton, had been taking the class B drug for medicinal purposes, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday, February 18.

Dooley was handed a 12-month driving ban and fined £250.

Prosecuting, Kerry Pepperell said it was at 4.30pm on Boxing Day 2018 when police stopped Dooley in his Hyundai Tucson on Liverpool Road, Moston, Chester, and noticed the smell of stale intoxicants in the vehicle.

While a breath test proved negative for alcohol, a drug-drive test found Dooley was found to have more than seven microgrammes of cannabis per litre of blood – more than three times the legal limit of two.

The court heard Dooley had five previous convictions for 11 offences, including driving with excess alcohol in 2005.

Defending, Stephen Coupe said Dooley had not been before the courts in 13 years and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added Dooley had a ruptured knee ligament and was due to undergo surgery for it this Friday. To manage the pain, he had been taking cannabis as he found the medicated opiate painkiller tablets he was taking to be too addictive.

Dooley had taken cannabis the day before and there was no evidence of any issues with his driving.

As well as the fine, Dooley must also pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.