Drug-driver who was travelling to Hunstanton told police he had edible sweet the week before despite being 10 times over the limit

A drug-driver who was 10 times over the legal limit told police that he had taken an edible cannabis sweet the week before.

Nicky Lucas, 42, appeared in Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted to driving above the specified drug limit.

Prosecutor Colette Harper explained that on May 17 at around 1.50pm, police decided to pull over the black BMW that Lucas was driving.

Police could smell cannabis in the vehicle that Lucas was driving on the A149 heading towards Hunstanton.

Initially, Lucas told officers the smell of cannabis was because a friend was smoking nearby the car before driving off, and that Lucas himself had taken an edible cannabis sweet the week before.

A positive drug test was carried out, so subsequently, Lucas was arrested. The reading came back with 568mcg of benzoylecgonine – a cannabis breakdown – per litre of blood. The legal limit to drive is 50mcg.

Lucas had 10 previous convictions to his name and was currently serving a driving disqualification for a previous drug-driving offence.

He appeared unrepresented in court and said: “My mental health has been low since the driving ban, but I’ve sold my car to stop myself from doing this (further offending).

“I had a cracked tooth, and I thought rubbing a bit (cannabis) on it would help with the pain and so I can get some sleep.”

He was disqualified from driving for a further 12 months and fined £120.

Lucas, of Daisy Close in Cambridge, will also pay a victim surcharge of £48 and court costs of £60.