A DRIVER who was stopped because his rear number plate wasn’t illuminated tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.

Blackburn magistrates heard Robbie Andrew Haworth had only passed his test two months earlier after five years of trying.

Haworth, 22, of St Peters Close, Darwen, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said as soon as the officer approached Haworth’s car he could smell cannabis.

“The presence of two drugs aggravates the situation,” said Miss Morrow.

Neil Howard, defending, said his client had taken heroin at a friend’s house the previous evening and had smoked cannabis that day.

“He had only been driving for two months,” said Mr Howard.

“He started having lessons when he was 17 and passed his test at the fourth attempt. He spent a great deal of time and money to get his licence and he has thrown that all away.”

Mr Howard said Haworth had delayed telling his parents what had happened because he knew they would be very upset. “He has not taken drugs since this incident in May,” he said.