A SKIPTON man was banned from driving for three years when he appeared before Skipton magistrates for the second time in two weeks.

Jordan Bellany, of Broughton Grove, had already been given a 12 month ban on April 26 after pleading guilty to driving with cannabis in his blood.

On Friday he faced a similar charge of drug driving, although the offence had occurred at an earlier date.

Prosecutor Nadine Clough said police attended a single vehicle collision in Limehouse Lane, in Carleton, at around 2.15pm on November 26 last year.

“They found the vehicle on its roof blocking the road. Mr Bellamy was still present. A drug swipe carried out at the road side indicated positive for cannabis,” she said.

She said Bellamy was taken to Harrogate Police Station where a blood test showed 4.4 microgrammes of cannabis in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal specified limit is two microgrammes.

Ms Clough added: “In interview, Mr Bellamy said he had been taking cannabis since the age of 14. He took it around three times a night and the last time he had any was about 12 or 14 hours before (the incident).”

She added he had claimed taking cannabis did not have any effect on his ability to drive and was a ‘better driver for smoking it'. She said he claimed a previous employer said he was able to perform his job better (while taking it).

Admitting to the charge, Bellamy, 29, who was not represented in court, was told because it was his second drug driving offence in a matter of weeks that he would lose his licence for three years. The ban was concurrent to his earlier disqualification.

He was fined £120, costs of £85 and a surcharge of £34.