A MOTORIST stopped by police in Grassington smelt of cannabis and had bloodshot eyes, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Michael Temple, 29, was driving a silver coloured Honda Civic on Station Road at around 6pm on April 1 when he was stopped, the court was told today (Friday).

The officer noticed Temple smelt of cannabis and his eyes were bloodshot. He was taken to the police station where a blood test later showed he had 7.2 microgrammes of the cannabis by-product delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in one litre of blood. The specified limit is 2. There was no indication of poor driving by Temple at the time, the court was told.

Temple, of previous good character, admitted drugs driving.

Mitigating, Mohammed Hussain, said Temple, who works in retail, and his partner, were expecting their first child and the loss of his licence would have a significant impact.

But, he added Temple was "pragmatic" and understood unlike drink- driving there was no rehabilitation course available to reduce the length of the ban for drugs-driving.

Temple, of Romney Close, Redcar, was banned from driving for the minimum 12 months and fined £230. He will also have to pay a surcharge of £92 and costs of £85.