A CHESTER motorist has had his conviction for drug-driving quashed – amid a "widespread" fraud investigation at the laboratory used to analyse his blood sample.

Tyler O'Gorman, 24, of Blacon Point Road, had previously appeared before Chester Magistrates Court in March 2020.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of drug-driving, on the basis the prosecution said a derivative of cannabis was found in his blood.

It had come after police had stopped him in Halton Road on August 25, 2019.

But at Chester Magistrates Court on Monday, July 12, Mr O'Gorman returned and the conviction was quashed.

The court heard Mr O'Gorman's blood sample had been taken to a laboratory in accordance with standard police procedure.

But that laboratory was now "under investigation" for "widespread fraud" and the Crown Prosecution Service, as such, was "not content" with the blood sample evidence.

As a result, the case was reopened and the prosecution could offer no evidence.

The court heard the fraud was a "troubling and widespread" case.

Mr O'Gorman therefore had his conviction for drug-driving overturned, and will be reimbursed on any monies he had been ordered to pay as a result of that conviction.

It is expected other drivers may also have their drug-driving convictions overturned as a result on the ongoing investigation.