A DRIVER stopped because police mistakenly believed he was driving a stolen car later failed a drug test.

Blackburn magistrates heard the VW Polo driven by Liam Darren Weeks flagged up on the police computer as stolen but he had actually bought it legitimately a few days earlier.

Weeks, 23, of Talbot Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and without insurance. He was fined £230 with £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said that having stopped the defendant the police smelled cannabis and he failed a roadside test.

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had actually purchased the car the day before and had taken it out believing his mother had insured it on his behalf.

"It came as a surprise to him that he wasn't insured," said Mr Prew.

He said his client had been diagnosed with ADHD and had been using prescribed medication.

"Quite recently he was introduced to cannabis and he has found that it helps him sleep," said Mr Prew.

"Naively he didn't realise it can stay in your system for a considerable time."