A police officer who stopped a car could see the driver spraying something in his mouth as he approached.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard despite Saddam Hussein’s efforts an officer could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle when it was stopped in Byrom Street.

Hussein, 39, of St Mary’s Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving over the limit for cannabis and benzoylecgonine, the derivative of cocaine, in his Audi A4 on May 27.

Hussein's tests showed he had 139 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood, almost three times the legal limit of 50cmg.

He had 2.4mcg of cannabis per litre of blood, the threshold being two mcg.

He was banned from driving for 42 months after the court heard he had a similar conviction within the last 10 years.

He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Nicola Mills, prosecuting, said the officer’s attention was drawn to the white Audi driven by the defendant because of the speed it was travelling at.

Bill Rawstron, in mitigation, said: “He was not aware the drugs would still be in his system long after he had used them.”