Court: Abergele woman in the dock for drug-driving in Flint

Michelle Pilkington, of Maes Y Dre in Abergele, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 35-year-old admitted that on September 26 she drove a motor vehicle on Halkyn Road in Flint when the proportion of cannabis in her blood exceeded the specified limit.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that at around 9.20am on the day of the offence, a police vehicle was joining the A55 eastbound when officers spotted a vehicle travelling at excess speed.

The vehicle was followed as it exited onto Halkyn Road heading in the direction of Flint and stopped shortly thereafter.

Pilkington was the only occupant in the vehicle and when told why she'd been pulled over she apologised, explaining she was late for work.

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But the officers smelled what appeared to be cannabis and when asked if she smoked it, she said yes - but the last time had been more than a week prior.

After being arrested and taken to Llay custody facility, it was confirmed that she had 5.8 microgrammes of the substance per litre of blood - the limit being 2.

Ms Jackson said the defendant had one previous conviction for two offences - which were related to drug driving.

That meant the court was obliged to consider a minimum three-year ban, she added.

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "She has entered a timely guilty plea and is fully aware she faces a substantial disqualification today.

"She showed genuine remorse at the roadside and is thoroughly ashamed of herself."

Ms Lewis said her client had previously struggled with cannabis use and had managed to come off it.

But a bereavement last year saw her struggling with her mental health, which led to her "self-medicating."

"She has now been drug-free for three months after a self-referral to her GP and counselling," Ms Lewis said.

"Thankfully this won't have an impact on her work as a support worker for homeless people."

District Judge Gwyn Jones fined the defendant £350 and ordered her to pay a £140 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.

Pilkington was banned for 36 months.