A UNIVERSITY student who crashed his car on the M65 motorway tested positive for cocaine and its metabolite and ketamine.

Blackburn magistrates heard no other vehicles were involved in the crash at 7.20am. Mohammed Hamza Fayyaz, 23, of Newport Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving. He was fined £200, £85 costs, £32 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 18 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the crash happened on the M65 eastbound in November 2019. He failed a roadside drug swipe and blood analysis showed he was over the limit for all three drugs.

David Lawson, defending, said the case had been delayed due to Covid-19 but a warrant had been issued for his client’s arrest when he failed to turn up at court.

“He received all the other adjournment notices but not the one which told him when he was due in court, possibly due to the fact he is studying at the University of Birmingham,” said Mr Lawson.

“The result of that is that he has spent two days in custody.”