A 39-YEAR-OLD motorist who failed a drug test blamed cannabis cookies he had inadvertently eaten at a barbecue.

Blackburn magistrates heard Rizwan Patel realised something was wrong after he ate the cookies and was told they contained cannabis.

Patel, of Bradford Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with a proportion of cannabis over the specified limit.

He was fined £300 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 16 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said police were called after a BMW driven by Patel collided with three parked cars in St James Road.

Patel admitted he had taken cannabis earlier .

Gareth Price, defending, said Patel had been to a barbecue where a number of people were smoking cannabis.

"He doesn't smoke cannabis at all but he was present while others were smoking," said Mr Price.

"The amount he amassed by passive smoking would not have had an affect but there were also some cookies coming off the barbecue.

"He consumed some of those and was told afterwards they contained cannabis."

Mr Price said Patel would lose his job as a result of the conviction.