A DRUG driver said he was struggling during his marriage break down which led him to offend.

Sam Norman, 31 pleaded guilty to driving with cocaine in his system after being stopped by police twice.

Norman who represented himself in court said: “I am guilty at the end of the day. There is no excuse. I was going through a tough time with the break up of my marriage. It’s no excuse. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

Prosecuting Owen Beale said: “The first set of matters on was on Malvern Road, Worcester. Officers saw his vehicle and didn’t think it was being driven very well. It came to a halt at the BP garage and they did a drug swipe. The results came back positive for cocaine and he was released under investigation.”

“He had the misfortune to come to police’s attention again on August 10.”

“Again, it was his driving that brought him to the attention of the police. They came to the conclusion he might have gone over a red light at Pinvin. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Again, they did a drug swipe which came back positive for cocaine and Benzoylecgonine.”

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Mr Beale explained that the latter substance is a molecule in Cocaine. The court heard that on both occasions the quantity of the substances in Norman’s system exceeded a specified limit. On the first occasion there was at least 60 micrograms per litre of blood and on the second occasion there was at least 36 micrograms per litre of blood.

Mr Beale said: “On both occasions police believed his driving was of a poor standard.”

Norman of Owletts End, Pinvin, Pershore said he had been homeless and living in his car at the time of the offences but admitted: “I know that is not an excuse.”

Norman who appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on March 5 was fined £120 for the first offence and £107 for the second, with costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £30.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.