Smoking cannabis before getting behind the wheel has cost a Neyland man his licence for three years.

Steven Rees, of College Park, pleaded guilty to driving while over the controlled drug limit when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, October 2.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said police officers could smell cannabis when they conducted a routine stop on Rees’ Vauxhall Corsa in John Street, Neyland, at 8.45am on May 3.

Rees, 31, told officers he had smoked cannabis after getting up that morning, and a blood test revealed that he was eight times the limit.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said that while the reading appeared high, the drug could remain in a person’s system for a month, and the amount had built up over a lengthy period.

“He was taking cannabis to relieve pain in his arm and shoulder, and to help him get to sleep.”

Mr Kelleher added that being eight times the drug-drive limit was different to the alcohol limit, and there was no suggestion that Rees’ driving was impaired.

“If you were eight times the drink-drive limit I doubt you would be able to see the car, let alone drive it.

Magistrates banned Rees for three years and fined him £120.

He was also ordered to pay £115 in costs and charges.