A TEENAGER who took drugs and thought he would be safe to drive has been fined and banned from getting behind the wheel.
James Cresswell was over the legal limit for a breakdown of cocaine when he was stopped by police.
Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said the 18-year-old, of Manor Close, Stourport, had been driving a Peugeot 208 in Worcester, at 11.15pm on January 14 this year.
The prosecutor said police first noticed the vehicle in The Tything before stopping him on Barbourne Road.
Mr Hambling said Cresswell failed a roadside drugs test and later gave an evidence sample that showed the amount of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown of cocaine, in his system was above the legal limit. 
Cresswell admitted drug driving when he appeared in front of Worcester magistrates on Thursday, (June 8).
Shaun Newey, defending, said Cresswell had no previous convictions so had been a man of good character, prior to committing the offence.
Mr Newey said Cresswell had "acted naively" taking drugs more than 24 hours before the offence, but not realising it stayed in his system so he would not be able to drive.
The solicitor said there had been no aggravating features of the offence such as a poor standard of driving seen in other similar cases.
Mr Newey added Cresswell had previously been a factory worker but after losing that job he hadn't worked since, so the defendant was on benefits and being financially supported by his family.
Philip Newton, chairman of the magistrates, told Cresswell he would be disqualified from driving for a year.
Magistrates fined Cresswell £120, and ordered him to pay costs of £135 and £48 victim surcharge.
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Cresswell agreed to pay the total, £303, in full within 28 days.
The chairman warned Cresswell if he drove during the disqualification period he would be committing a serious offence which he could be sent to prison for.
Mr Newton added: "The DVLA may want you to do it (a driving test) again - due to your age."
As he was leaving the dock Cresswell thanked magistrates.
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