Drug driver a staggering FIVE TIMES over cocaine limit when stopped in Newcastle

A drug driver was a staggering five times over the limit for cocaine when he was stopped on a busy road.

Mehmet Ayata was pulled over by officers after he came to their attention on West Denton Way, in West Denton, Newcastle, in the early hours of the morning. The 28-year-old failed a roadside saliva test and a later blood sample proved he had a large amount of Benzoylecgonine (BZE), a breakdown product of cocaine, in his system.

Ayata, who was on a community order at the time, appeared before magistrates in Newcastle to plead guilty to one count of driving while above the specified drug limit. Jonathan Straughan, prosecuting, said an officer "had reason" to pull over Ayata while he was travelling in his Honda Jazz at 3am on February 2 this year.

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Mr Straughan told the court: "A drugs swipe was carried out at the roadside, which was positive. The defendant was then subject to a station drugs procedure. That result showed he was almost five times over the limit for BZE, giving a reading of 249 microgrammes."

Magistrates heard that Ayata, of Fairholm Road, in Benwell, had gone out for a drive on the night in question after recently receiving news that his grandmother had died. Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said: "This offence happened at the beginning of February and, since then, his family have placed him in residential rehab, so he's now drugs-free."

Ayata was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge. He was also banned from driving for 20 months.

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