Teenager was over the limit on two drugs while in driver’s seat of car on A149 at Brancaster Staithe

Police caught a 19-year-old behind the wheel while over the limit on two types of drugs.

Jacob Pett appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted to two counts of being in charge of a vehicle while above the specified drug limit.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said that on May 20 2023 at 11.20pm, police came across a stationary Vauxhall Corsa on the A149 near Brancaster Staithe.

The court was told that the car had its full beam lights on and did not turn them off for oncoming traffic.

Police approached the vehicle where Pett was sat in the driver’s seat – three passengers were also in the car.

Officers noticed that Pett’s eyes were glazed, was slurring his words and he had “visible sweat” on his face.

A breath test was taken to see if Pett had been drink-driving, and the test came back negative. However, officers then suspected that he had taken drugs.

He was taken to Lynn’s Police Investigation Centre where a drugs test was carried out.

A reading came back that 471mcg of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine breakdown – was in Pett’s system. The legal limit to drive is 50mcg.

A total of 200mcg of ketamine was also found in his system, the legal limit to drive is 20mcg.

The court heard that Pett, of The Street, Halvergate in Norwich, was caught drug-driving twice last year – and is currently serving a driving disqualification after a court hearing in September.

Ms Harper said: “This offence is aggravated by the three passengers in the car and two drugs being in his system.”

In mitigation, George Sorrell said: “Last year was a bad year for the defendant because of various pressures. He became involved with drugs and has told me for a young person how easy it is to get ketamine.

“These drugs became a habit and they led to this offending last year.”

The solicitor told the court that Pett lives at home with his parents who have given him support.

Mr Sorrell also explained that Pett suffers with his mental health and is getting help from his GP.

The solicitor added: “The first offence last year caused him even more anxiety, he relapsed into taking more drugs.”

Magistrates disqualified Pett from driving for a further 12 months and he was fined a total of £120 for the offences.

He will also pay a victim surcharge of £48 and court costs of £60.