A YOUNG man who had used drugs at a low point in his life had managed to turn things round.

Blackburn magistrates heard Matthew Cavaleri had completed a four year apprenticeship at BAE Systems but following lockdown was no longer required.

"Having worked very hard for four years to qualify as an electrical engineer he felt he had nothing to look forward to," said Richard Prew, defending.

"In July he got a job with a company down south and has been there ever since, making good money."

Cavaleri, 22, of Spring Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to possessing ketamine and drug driving while over the limit for ketamine and benzoylecgonine, the metabolite of cocaine. He was fined £530 with £85 costs and £35 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said Cavaleri was pulled over by police driving through Darwen at 2.30am. When he got out of his car he was rocking on his heels, slurring his speech and answering questions very slowly.

He gave a positive road side drugs swipe and a blood test subsequently showed the presence of ketamine and the metabolite of cocaine.

A small snap bag containing a white powder was found in the car and this turned out to be ketamine.

Mr Prew said his client had no previous convictions.

"This was just a blip," said Mr Prew. "He tells me drugs are not an issue for him now but at the time he was on a downer."