Blackburn drug driver told police blood is 90 per cent cannabis

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Robert Welton told officers he “smoked cannabis for a living” and would definitely fail a drug test when stopped on November 11, 2021 on his Skoda Kodiaq.

He added; “My blood is 90 per cent cannabis. All I do is smoke cannabis all day, every day.”

Welton, 38, of Belmont Close, Blackburn, admitted to drug driving and possession of 20 grams of the Class B drug cannabis.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said police in Exeter were alerted to a car being driven in an erratic way along the A30 in the Devon city.

They found the vehicle and began to follow, reaching speeds of 85mph.

Aftab Bakhat, in mitigation, said his client was a man of previous good character.

Some years ago he had been targeted by so called paedophile hunters whose accusations turned his life “upside down.”

“After a thorough investigation by the police he was exonerated,” said Mr Bakhat.

“It led to the end of his long-term relationship. He was stigmatised by what had happened and moved to Cornwall to make a fresh start.”

Mr Bakhat said his client started smoking cannabis because it helped him to sleep.

“He was having nightmares because of what had happened,” said Mr Bakhat.

“On this day his property had been attacked because the information had somehow leaked to locals about the allegations and investigation that had been carried out in Blackburn.

"He felt he had no option but to leave.”

Mr Bakhat said Welton collected his belongings, including his cannabis, and got in his car to drive to a friend’s house in Torquay.

“If it hadn’t been for that incident he would not have been behind the wheel,” said Mr Bakhat.

He said since the incident his client had taken stock and had voluntarily engaged with Inspire, the drink and drugs agency.

“He is drug-free at the moment and is not using cannabis as an emotional and psychological crutch.”