A Helston motorist was caught driving without a licence because it had been revoked on medical grounds, Truro magistrates heard. He also had no insurance.

Stuart Charles Lee, aged 36, of Nanscober Place, pleaded guilty to both offences and also to possessing a quantity of cannabis.

Alison May, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said on Christmas Eve police officers had stopped him in a car and discovered the offences. He had produced cannabis from inside his jacket saying he had paid two or three pounds for it. He had a previous conviction for cultivating cannabis.

Elliott Moore, his solicitor, said Lee suffered from colitis and used cannabis because it helped with his condition.

On the day of the offences he had driven from Helston to Mawgan hoping to assist his son and take him to hospital after he had suffered an asthma attack. Lee himself suffered from asthma, and epileptic seizures, leading to the revocation of his licence.

Lee was fined £110 and £20 victim surcharge and banned from driving for a year.