A MAN who took cannabis three days before getting behind the wheel was still over the limit for drug-driving.

Benjamin Williams, 32, of Holly Court, Garden City, Flintshire, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and possession of cannabis when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 20.

Prosecuting, Joshua Sanderson-Kirk said police stopped a blue Vauxhall Astra on Parkgate Road, Chester, that Williams was driving on December 29, 2020. Two other men were in the car and there was a “strong smell of cannabis”.

Police searched the trio and the car and 3.5g of cannabis was found in a sealed bag in Williams’s coat pocket.

Defending himself, Williams accepted having taken cannabis on Boxing Day and did not believe he was still under the influence, but accepted the reading was just over the legal limit.

He added his driving had not been impaired and he would “never have jumped in the car” if he had any suspicion he was still feeling under the influence of the cannabis.

He added he was “quite ashamed”.

Magistrates fined Williams £400 and told him to pay £85 court costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

The cannabis was to be forfeited and destroyed.