A 20 YEAR old Eastby woman with a former £800 a month cocaine habit has been banned from driving for 16 months after admitting drugs driving at Skipton Magistrates' Court.

Clara White, who had a promising career ahead of her and was a candidate for Skipton Building Society's inspiring leaders course, had three different intoxicants in her system, when stopped by police in Skipton, the court heard.

It was 11.30 pm on May 12 when police carrying out routine checks stopped White in Cavendish Street, Skipton, said prosecutor, Martin Butterworth.

The officer smelt cannabis coming from the car and carried out a road side drugs test, that proved positive. There was also a small amount of cannabis in the central console of the Citroen C1.

Mr Butterworth said White was taken to the police station where blood tests later revealed excessive levels of cannabis, cocaine and a derivative of cocaine.

Her level of cannabis was 4.5 microgrammes per litre of blood, the legal limit is 2mg; of cocaine, it was 37 microgrammes per litre of blood, the legal limit is ten mg, and of benzoylecgonine it was 200 microgrammes per litre of blood, the legal limit is 50.

White, a woman of previous good character, was forthright and candid in her interview with police, telling them she had a cocaine habit costing her £800 per month, said Mr Butterworth.

White, of Barden Road, admitted three separate charges of driving a car while over the drugs-drive limit and to the possession of cannabis, a class B controlled drug.

In mitigation, Paula Mawhinney, said White had never been in trouble before and she raised the question of whether excessive levels of drugs in the system should be viewed in the same way as alcohol and drink driving.

She said White had done very well with her A Levels and instead of going to university had chosen to get a job at the building society and continue living at home.

She was training to be a consultant and was due to join the inspiring leaders course. Her employers had told her she would retain her job, but any promotion would be put on hold, and she would no longer be an inspiring leader.

Ms Mawhinney said White had taken steps to tackle her £800 cocaine habit, had been to see her doctor and had completely stopped taking drugs.

"She feels like she may have missed out by not going to university and missing out on the rebellious stage," she said.

In addition to being banned from driving for 16 months, White was fined £270 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and surcharge of £30. A forfeiture and destruction order was made on the cannabis.