A DRUG driver from Widnes appeared in Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 13 after being caught on two separate occasions under the influence while behind the wheel.

Jake Bradshaw, of Kingsbury Road, was first arrested on September 9 last year on Watkinson Road in Liverpool when police were called at around 2.15am after receiving reports of a car reviving its engine on the road for an extended period of time and hitting its brakes intermittently.

When police arrived at 2.30am, they found Bradshaw behind the wheel of his stationary Vauxhall Corsa in an unfit state to be in control of the vehicle, but not attempting to drive it.

Merseyside police carried out a roadside drugs test, which returned positive results and Bradshaw was arrested and taken to custody.

The 21-year-old provided a blood sample to police while in custody, which also returned positive results for cocaine and ketamine.

While officers had not seen Bradshaw driving the vehicle, he admitted to police that he had been driving previously.

Nearly a month later, on October 6, Bradshaw was caught driving under the influence of drugs in Widnes after police spotted his vehicle driving down Page Lane.

The prosecution for the case, Mrs McGowan, told the court that it was evident to police that Bradshaw was ‘not in a fit state to drive’.

A drugs test was carried out, revealing that Bradshaw was under the influence of ketamine, and a later blood sample registered that he had more than 200 micrograms of the drug in his system at the time.

Defending, Mr Fisher told the court that Bradshaw was in the ‘midst of a relapse’ at the time of the incidents but has since ‘got back on track’.

The 21-year-old has since sold his car and voluntarily stopped driving, partly due to the fact that his parents would not let him drive.

“Without a vehicle, Mr Bradshaw is not a risk to the public,” said Mr Fisher.

“This has really hammered home to him how serious things can get.”

After deliberating a verdict, the magistrates returned to the court and addressed Bradshaw’s parents directly, who were there to support their son.

“I just want in front of you to thank your mum and dad for coming to support you,” said the magistrate.

“We are satisfied that you are on the right track.

“It’s not going to be easy, but you will get there and the reason you will get there is because of their support.”

Bradshaw was sentenced to 28 months driving ban, and a further 12 months driving ban running concurrently starting on May 8.

He was also given a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity days and a £120 fine.

“We are very pleased that you are involving yourself anyway in an attempt to be a completely different person, which you will achieve. If you want it, you will,” said the magistrates.