Newly qualified driver Harry Davison in King’s Lynn court after drug-driving and crashing into tree on Lynn Road in Shouldham Thorpe

A teenager has been banned from driving for more than a year after getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs.

Harry Davison, 19, of Downham Road in Runcton Holme, admitted that he had been drug-driving when he crashed his car into a tree on Lynn Road in Shouldham Thorpe on October 7 last year.

Prosecutor Anna Crayford said that the defendant’s Vauxhall Corsa hit a tree at the bottom of a driveway on Lynn Road.

He got out of the car and knocked on the person’s door, telling the owner that he was in trouble and people in the tree were “after him” and that he needed help.

The owner of the house went and looked at his CCTV, after which he then called the police. When officers arrived, they first saw the vehicle’s bonnet in the tree and then large amounts of drug paraphernalia.

Ms Crayford told the court that Davison had told the police that people in the tree were “after him”.

Police conducted a test which showed that Davison had 16mcg of cocaine in his blood. The legal limit to drive is 10mcg.

In mitigation, solicitor Charlotte Winchester told magistrates that Davison only passed his driving test last June and he is very remorseful and aware of his actions.

She said: “He has a sad background, he had to leave school in Year 8 due to ill health.”

The court was told that Davison was in a serious crash as a child which left him with “very bad” back pains.

Ms Winchester said that he found himself with a bad group involved with drugs and he was involved in a county drug line.

Davison ended up being taken to Darlington for help and then returned home at 16 years old, securing a job in a restaurant as a pot washer where he learned to cook and then went on to college – but had to leave last year due to his back pain.

Ms Winchester said her client had reduced his drug usage and was also working with organisations to support him.

She said: “This incident in October is an eye-opener for him,” adding that he had never been to court before.

Magistrates disqualified Davison from driving for 17 months and was fined £200.

He will also pay a £80 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.