A SELF-employed landscape gardener was over the drugs-drive limit when he was stopped in Kildwick, heard Skipton magistrates.

Daniel Smith, 37, was banned by magistrates for three years because of a previous drink-driving offence.

Smith was stopped in his Landrover Freelander on the A629 during the afternoon of March 16 for a possible road tax matter, the court heard. The tax was sorted at the roadside, but officers carried out a drugs test after noticing the smell of cannabis. Following a positive result, he was taken to the police station where a blood sample revealed he had 2.5 microgrammes of cannabis in 100 litres of blood, the legal limit is two.

Smith, who admitted drugs driving, had a previous conviction for drink driving in 2009, the court heard.

In mitigation, Paul Milner said Smith was a regular smoker of cannabis, but had not smoked that day.

He pointed out it had not been the manner of his driving that had caused officers to stop him, but for a motoring offence that had been sorted.

It was the last blow for an 'annus horribilis' for Smith who had suffered an acrimonious split from his partner.

Mr Milner added the consequences of a three year ban would be stark for Smith who needed his vehicle to work.

In addition to the three year ban, Smith, of Victoria Cottages, Lunnsfield Lane, Burton Salmon, Selby, was fined £250, with costs of £85 and surcharge of £25.