Taxi driver loses job after drug driving in Newtown, Powyshttps://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/2475 ... own-powys/A taxi driver has lost his licence and job after he was caught under the influence of cocaine while driving with two passengers in Newtown.
Sajjad Hussain, 44, told police he was unaware that traces of the Class A drug was still in his system after going on a night out a few days prior to being pulled over in his Toyota Prius in Garth Owen on May 22.
The West Midlands man pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 26.
A blood test at Aberystwyth Police Station found that he had more than 240 microgrammes of the Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, and more than 12 microgrammes of cocaine. The legal limit for both drugs are 50mcgms and 10mcgms respectively.
Gurleen Kaur, who was acting on behalf of Hussain, said he was driving as a taxi driver at the time, but his driving was not impaired.
"In fact, he was at the station for an unrelated matter when the officer noticed his eyes looked glazed over.
"The consumption of drugs took place three to four days prior to being pulled over. He believed that the substances would have left his system and not come back with positive test results. Had he known it was in his system, he would not be driving at the time.
"Mr Hussain is remorseful for his actions and faces the consequences for his mistake, a loss of employment due to the disqualification.
"Further to that are the personal circumstances and caring responsibilities for his mother which will be impacted.
"He is remorseful and has entered early guilty pleas. I ask that the disqualification is put at the lower end of the range."
Ms Kaur added: "Mr Hussain is facing significant consequences because of this. There will be a significant impact on his family and mother. There are financial constraints with the mortgage outstanding on the property."
The court heard that Hussain had a caution for possessing a Class A drug 10 years ago.
Probation officer Harriet Beer told the court that the taxi driver had taken cocaine on his first night out in two years.
"He will be left unemployed and there will be no income coming into the family home," she said.
"Life will be very different compared to how it used to be. He will be relying on familial connections for financial support.
"Mr Hussain has been a taxi driver all his life, it's all he knows.
"He is of good character and is very, very unlikely to reoffend."
Magistrates decided to disqualify Hussain, of Lye, Dudley, from driving for the minimum ban of 17 months, and reduced the fine to £200 after taking into consideration his job loss. He must also pay £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
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