A MAGISTRATE told a football fan smoking cannabis while celebrating a Portugal World Cup win did not allow him to go drug driving in Worcester.

Sandro Santos Da Silva was caught drug driving in 2018 but that did not stop him from committing the same offence again on December 7 last year, Worcester Magistrates Court heard.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said at around 9.30pm that day officers saw a blue Mazda pull up outside the defendant's home in Chestnut Street, Worcester.

The prosecutor said officers smelt cannabis before Da Silva was asked to take a roadside drug test, which he failed.

Worcester News: COURT: Sandro Santos Da Silva leaving Worcester Magistrates CourtCOURT: Sandro Santos Da Silva leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Magistrates heard Da Silva's blood was tested which showed he had more than 7ug of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (a breakdown of cannabis) – the legal limit being 2ug.

Mr Hambling added that due to Da Silva admitting a second drug driving offence within seven years magistrates should give him the mandatory three-year ban.

Da Silva, who defended himself, was asked by the court clerk if there was anything he wanted to say.

“I would like to say sorry,” the defendant said.

“I swear to God I always try to be careful.”

Da Silva explained he had taken cannabis the day before while watching Portugal play in the World Cup and didn’t realise the drugs stayed in his system.

After deliberations chairman of the magistrates bench, Brent Robinson, told Da Silva he would be disqualified from driving for three years.

Worcester News: CAUGHT: Chestnut Street where Da Silva was caught drug drivingCAUGHT: Chestnut Street where Da Silva was caught drug driving (Image: Google)

The chairman said: “The fact Portugal was playing football does not give you the right to endanger other road users.

“If you going to take drugs you need to educate yourself how long they remain in the system.”

The chairman added, unlike drink driving, there was no course Da Silva could take that would reduce the ban length meaning the defendant would be forced to serve the full ban length.

Worcester News: SUB: Cristiano Ronaldo after he came on a substitute in the match Da Silva watched SUB: Cristiano Ronaldo after he came on a substitute in the match Da Silva watched (Image: PA)

Da Silva was also fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and victim surcharge of £240. 

The chairman told the defendant on Thursday, (May 4), the £975 total was due tothe court within 28 days.

Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16 World Cup match on December 6 last year, which was memorable for star Cristiano Ronaldo being dropped from the starting line up.