A cocaine-fuelled motorist has been banned from the roads – after driving more than four times over the legal drug-drive limit. Victoria Chesworth was ‘driving erratically’ on London Road, in Stoke, on July 18 before being stopped by police.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 46-year-old had 45\mu g/L of cocaine in her blood, well over the legal threshold of 10\mu g/L. Chesworth also had a staggering 800b ug/L of benzoylecgonine in her blood – the breakdown product of cocaine – which is 16 times the legal limit.
Prosecutor Sherrie Henry told the court: “This matter occurred shortly after 11pm. Officers saw the defendant’s red Toyota Yaris which appeared to be driving erratically along the A52. She could be seen swerving repeatedly between lanes. Officers pulled the defendant over and smelled alcohol. They attempted to perform a breathalyser test. They were unable to get her to complete it successfully. A small amount of powder was found in the back of the defendant’s car. She was taken back to the police station where a drug test was performed.”
Chesworth, of Swallows Nest Close, Blurton, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug-driving.
Representing herself, Chesworth said her interim driving ban has left her ‘struggling financially and with transport’, pleading with the magistrates for leniency.
She tearfully told the court: “The swerving in and out of lanes, I disagree with, because I was following the one-way system. I believed the van behind me was getting too close. I didn’t realise it was the police. I only learned that later after they pulled me over. They could smell wine on me because I had made a beef bourguignon earlier that evening.
“I struggled to do the breath test because I had a stroke last year. I agreed to do the blood test. The white powder they found in the car is a drug I take to manage my stroke symptoms.”
Magistrates slapped Chesworth with a 17-month driving ban as well as a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days. She must also pay £239 costs.
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