A COURIER caught over the drug drive limit has been banned from driving.

Michal Skoliniec, 25, of Homington Avenue, was more than three-and-a-half times the cannabis limit when he was stopped behind the wheel of a Ford Transit on Oxford Road, Stratton, on March 4.

He was also not insured to drive the van, which had been given to him by his boss. The vehicle was said to have been in a poor state of repair.

Skoliniec pleaded guilty to drug driving and driving without insurance. He had been arrested by the police on a warrant.

Banning him from driving for 18 months, District Judge Joanna Dickens said “You are really lucky no one was hurt or killed as a result of your driving that day.”

The judge ordered a £200 fine and £32 victim surcharge, although the sums were deemed paid by time served in a police cell.

Keith Ballinger appeared for the Crown. Skoliniec was represented by Terry McCarthy.