AN Appleby horse fair visitor was caught drug-driving after asking a police officer for directions while smoking a cannabis joint.
Fiona George, aged 52, was behind the wheel of a silver Citroen vehicle when her offence occurred on June 7 at the annual Eden Valley event attended by many thousands of people.
Prosecutor Peter Bardsley told Carlisle Magistrates' Court that a police constable was on duty on residential Long Marton Road in Appleby at around 2.15pm.
"The officer notes that a Citroen motor vehicle pulled over to ask the officer some directions," said Mr Bardsley.
George was in the driver's seat. "Immediately the officer could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle. The officer noticed the female driver was smoking a cigarette which the officer presumed was a cannabis joint," said Mr Bardsley.
George was asked to -- and did -- comply with a roadside drug wipe test which gave a positive reading for the illegal class B controlled drug cannabis.
George was taken to a police station and gave a blood sample. This was analysed and showed the level of the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis was above the legal driving limit.
The prosecutor said the sample also showed traces of cocaine and a metabolite of the class A substance. These traces were within the legal limit and not subject to any criminal charge.
Attending court remotely over a video link George, of Parc Mellon, Penzance, pleaded guilty to drug-driving in respect of the cannabis reading. She was previously convicted but this dated back to the last century, said Mr Bardsley, who stated of the Appleby offence: "There is no suggestion of bad driving."
Addressing magistrates, George confirmed that the prosecutor's outline of the criminal conduct in June was correct.
George told the court she was not driving that vehicle at the time of the incident. She was sat in the car with the engine running and intending to pull off the road.
"I have been smoking cannabis since I was 12 years old," she said by way of background. This was due to mental health problems and personal trauma.
George told magistrates she was disabled and a part-time wheelchair user.
She was given a £200 fine for the offence, and must serve a 17-month driving disqualification. In addition George must pay £85 prosecution costs and an £80 mandatory surcharge.