A FOREST of Dean man who was stopped in his van for allegedly speeding in Cinderford and was found to be under the influence of drugs has been banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay £569 in fines, costs and surcharges.

Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard that Daniel Hopkins 38, of Mount Pleasant Road, Cinderford was pulled in by police at 7.55pm on February 1 when he was driving a red Volkswagen Caddy on Belle Vue Road.

Prosecutor Oliver Glynn-Jones said PC Farley saw the vehicle being driven in excess of the 30mph speed limit. The vehicle also had a ‘stop’ marker against its registration, meaning that it required further investigation.

“The police stopped the vehicle and the driver was given a roadside drug swipe, which was positive,” said Mr Glynn-Jones. Hopkins was taken into custody and was found to be intoxicated through benzoylecgonine - a metabolite of cocaine, meaning he was well over the limit for driving.”

Chloe Bennett, defending: “Hopkins has held his hand up for the driving under the influence of drugs. He hadn’t taken the cocaine that day, it had been the night before and had no effects on him the following day and he believed he was able to drive. It was about 24 hours after he had taken the drugs when he was stopped.

“Taking cocaine was not normal for him and he didn’t realise it would still be in his system. It doesn’t appear that Hopkins, a self-employed builder, is being convicted for any speeding offences. This will mean he will have to employ a driver whilst he is banned from driving.

Hopkins admitted that on February 1, 2023 he drove a red VW Caddy on Belle Vue Cinderford while intoxicated through benzoylecgonine.

Presiding Justice Michelle Eccles told Hopkins that these were ‘unfortunate circumstances’ and reminded him that drugs stay in the body for some time after consumption.

“In your case the 24 hours was not long enough for you to be free of the effects of drugs. You have no previous convictions and therefore you will be fined £346 and banned from driving for 12 months.”

The magistrates ordered that he pay a mandatory surcharge of £138 and £85 court costs.