A MAN from Hampshire has appeared in front of magistrates after being caught driving under the influence of drugs while in Cornwall.

Daniel James Marriott, aged 33, of Taplings Road in Winchester, Hampshire, appeared in front of magistrates at Truro Magistrates' Court on Thursday, May 12 on two counts of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit, one count of possession of a controlled drug of Class A - cocaine, and one count of possession of a controlled drug of Class B - cannabis.

The offences all took place in Helston, on Clodgy Lane, where Marriot was found to be driving with of a proportion of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and BZE - a breakdown product of cocaine - above the legal limit in his system.

Marriot pleaded guilty to both counts of driving above the limit and possession of cannabis, with the charge of possession of a controlled drug of Class A was withdrawn.

Marriot's sentencing was then adjourned to a later date in order to tie up with other cases.

Eventually, he appeared in front of magistrates at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 21, where, during his sentencing, Marriot was committed to prison for 14 weeks concurrent, suspended for 12 months.

The court noted that the reason the offence had been so serious that a custodial sentence was imposed was due to Marriot's previous record and character, and that it had been suspended due to the prospect of rehabilitation and the effect a custodial sentence would have had on his family.

During the 12 month supervision period, Marriot was take part in a rehabilitation activity for a maximum period of 15 days and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving license for three years, an obligatory requirement for this kind of offence, and his driving record was endorsed.

Marriot was also made to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £128 and pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court also noted how his guilty pleas had been taken into account when imposing the sentence.