Leeds banned driver was double the limit for cannabis when he used his partner's car to go to roofing job

Callum Wade was locked up for six months after he was found to be double the legal limit for the class B drug when police stopped his car in Headingley, Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard Wade was handed a suspended prison in February this year for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

The driving ban was initially imposed in February last year for driving while on drugs.

Thomas Cleeve, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court that police officers signalled for Wade to stop his vehicle on Beechwood Crescent at 5.30pm on June 3 this year.

Wade shook his head and drove off but stopped the VW Golf a short distance away on Kirkstall Lane.

He then told officers: "I'm sorry. I'm disqualified."

Mr Cleeve said the officers could smell cannabis on the defendant and his eyes appeared glazed.

A test showed he was just over twice the legal driving limit for cannabis.

Wade, of Acres Hall Crescent, Pudsey, pleaded guilty to being over the proscribed limit for cannabis, driving while disqualified and breach of a suspended sentence order.

Frances Pencheon, mitigating, said Wade was struggling financially at the time of the incident .

Ms Pencheon said Wade's roofing business was struggling due to his driving ban.

The barrister said Wade's partner had been furloughed from work and they were struggling to pay for their home.

Ms Pencheon said Wade took the decision to drive his girlfriend's car to go to work and was on his way to pick her up when he was stopped by officers.

She added: "He put the need for money before his disqualification and court order. He has made a big mistake."

Wade was also banned from driving for three years.

Judge Mairs told Wade the offences and breach of a court order was too serious to impose anything other than an immediate prison sentence.

He said: "The judge explained the consequences quite clearly that it would be prison.

"You are 20 years of age and have a decent and law abiding and loving family who you have wounded deeply by your offending.

"This is designed to be a short, sharp shock.

"You have tied the hands of the court and there is no realistic other option for the court."