A MOTORIST has been banned from the roads for four years after being caught drug-driving twice in two weeks, including once in Runcorn.

Gilbert Black appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after he was convicted of two counts of drug-driving at a hearing in July.

The court heard the first incident occurred on May 25 this year, when Black’s BMW was intercepted by police officers on Picow Farm Road, Runcorn.

Elizabeth Brown, prosecuting, said Black was caught for a second time on June 9 while driving his BMW along Edge Lane Drive in Liverpool.

On both occasions, blood tests revealed benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, in his system.

Black’s probation officer told the court the defendant accepted he had used drugs, but there was no evidence he had used them immediately before driving.

The officer added Black had a tendency to use drugs as a ‘coping mechanism’ and his life had taken a turn for the worse in 2019 following the breakdown of a relationship.

It was stressed a custodial sentence would have a ‘huge’ impact on Black and his family as he is a registered carer for his mother and is the main support for all his children.

Magistrates handed the 41-year-old a year-long community order, disqualified him from driving for 48 months, and ordered him to pay a total court costs of £900.

Black, of Gorton Road in Liverpool, must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.