Dingwall driver tested positive for cocaine

Police suspected a 28-year-old Ross-shire driver was under the influence of drugs after they pulled over his vehicle for a routine check.

Stuart Johnstone of Cromartie House, Dingwall provided a saliva test for the officers following the stop on the A835 near Conon Bridge on the night of October 18 last year.

Fiscal depute Adele Gray told Inverness Sheriff Court that the swipe proved positive for cocaine and a subsequent analysis of Johnstone’s blood showed that he has 32mcgs of the Class A narcotic in his system when the safe driving limit is 10mcgs.

He admitted drug driving and was fined £335 and banned from driving for a year.

Defence agent, John MacColl told Sheriff Sara Matheson: "There was a questionmark over his insurance and not the manner of his driving or his demeanour."